When Paul was begging them to be like him it was because ultimately he wanted them to be like Christ. He was not manipulating them.
“Is this making me more like Christ?” That’s the question we have for our whole lives. If it’s not then run from it.
““Those people may be paying you a lot of attention, but it isn’t for your good. They only want to keep you away from me, so you will pay them a lot of attention. It is always good to give your attention to something worthwhile, even when I am not with you. My children, I am in terrible pain until Christ may be seen living in you. I wish I were with you now. Then I would not have to talk this way. You really have me puzzled.”
Galatians 4:17-20
In recent years we have new terms for psychological abuses that seem to abound in this cruel world and one of those is ‘Gaslighting’.
“The term “gaslighting” comes from a 1938 play titled Gas Light, which was adapted into the 1940 film Gas Light, followed by the better-known 1944 film Gaslight, starring Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman. In each work, a male protagonist convinces his wife she’s imagining things that are actually happening—including the dimming of the house’s gas lights—with the result of making her believe she’s gone insane.” (https://www.forbes.com)
The Christians in Galatia had loved the Apostle but now they are doubting their experiences they have had, the things he has said, who he is and his intentions, they have become victims of gaslighting from the usual place which is a person of influence either romantic or in a leadership position. In their situation it is the false teachers who are telling them that Paul’s gospel is no gospel really because they must become Jewish to be acceptable. Their encounters of God are not quite right.
In any confrontation within the Church we do well to listen for the message and the inclusion of Jesus Christ. Is this ultimately about His glory? Is this about Him being seen? Or are we being encouraged to put our attention on other things? The rules? In this case the false teachers and their need for them to have supporters. They need followers. They will do all they can to get them. If that means to speak against other leaders, like the Apostle, then they will. A leadership question as old as this story is ‘why are people following you?’ Is it because they are paid to do so? Is it because they are afraid not to? Or is it because they see Christ in you and they believe that if they keep following you then it will lead them to follow Christ and to become like Him? People speak about a DNA of a church but then continue to talk about ‘how they do things around here.’ The DNA of a church is Jesus Christ never forget it and do not let anyone manipulate you to be in the ‘inner circle’ is to jump through some hoops ie get circumcised and become Jewish. It is better to be out than in if that is the case.
Missions Paul 