Remember how the Israelites were always tempted to go back to Egypt? That temptation still exists.
“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.” (Galatians 4 v 8-11)
Let those words sink in which Paul corrects himself. You are known by God. This is more than intellectually known. This is intimately known. To know God is to know that God knows you. This God who has sent His Son, this God who also sent His Spirit, knows you. That has happened not because you turned to any other or anything. The Galatian gentile followers of Jesus accepted Him as the Son and received the gospel message of the cross and they also received the power of the Spirit and it was these 2 key points that was the evidence that God came to ‘know’ them.
That’s all we need.
Turning to anything to prove we belong; being circumcised because we need to be accepted by God and others or whatever the current pressure in 2024 is; anything other than a life with the Son’s message and the Spirit’s presence is akin to returning to slavery in Egypt or the proof that you never left.
Are you guilty of jumping through hoops for others because you dare not let anyone down for fear of what they might think?
Do you ever wonder if people are noticing you?
Have you committed yourself to boost your self-image and this is seen by the way you live and the finances you spend?
If the answer is YES then it could be that idols are gripping your life.
You need none of these. You don’t need to be noticed.
You are known by God.
Missions Paul 