Perplexed About You
I
beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You
have done me no wrong; but you know that it was because of a bodily illness
that I preached the gospel to you the first time; and that which was a trial to
you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me
as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. Where then is that sense of
blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if
possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. So have I
become your enemy by telling you the truth? They eagerly seek you, not
commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them. But it
is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when
I am present with you. My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ
is formed in you-- but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my
tone, for I am perplexed about you.
Galatians 4:12-20
Socrates
did not just pass on information to his students, he
used the painful process of asking probing questions to help them arrive at
their own conclusions. Teaching them to think seemed at times like the travail
of childbirth.
Becoming
like Christ is a lifelong experience; therefore, we need patience with others
and ourselves. All of us will have challenges and disappointments along the
way. But if we put our trust in Him, we will grow spiritually and have
character qualities that will radiate new life.
Conversion is the miracle of a moment; maturing takes a
lifetime.
Our Daily Bread –