Spiritual Relapse

• You’re on the verge of spiritual relapse if your religion demands more than God ever asked.

Observations

• We all have trusted in stand-ins that could never do God's job (4:8).
• Your faith isn’t defined by what you know about God, but by what God knows about you (4:9).
• Religious rituals can’t replace a real relationship with God (4:10-11).
• Effective evangelism is flexible in the method but not the message (4:12).
• The Galatians accepted Paul when he needed them, but dismissed him when they needed correction (4:13-16).
• Heresy loves company; choose your religious influences wisely (4:17-18).
• A trustworthy spiritual leader is more concerned with your walk with Jesus than your loyalty to them (4:19-20).

Applications

• Activity: If your holy habits seek to earn something rather than embrace Someone, you’ve missed the point.
• Alliance: If your Christian influences don’t reflect Christ, their advice may not either.
• Approval: When you attach God’s love to your behavior, you detach it from His grace.