Love's appeal (preacher: Keith Cooper)

Sunday, 2 December 2018 | Keith Cooper // Galatians 4:12-20 | Love’s Appeal // // It is possible that Paul had caught malaria and was travelling with the illness. This could account for why Paul looked so unwell, which could also have affected the appearance and function of his eyes. Whatever the case, there would have been some reason for people of his culture to shun him, given their fear of visible illnesses and deformities. And yet the Galatians received Paul with love, refusing to judge him by his appearance. // // God uses the most unlikely people, often when they feel most inadequate. Then he is most glorified. So how we feel does not excuse us from using the gifts he has given us. // // God led Paul to Galatia because of his sickness. Because of his illness, the Galatians heard the gospel. So although this was not Paul's plan, although we would not say that the illness was from God, God was very much able to use this situation. // // Paul now warns the Galatians to return to their original position of pure love. To set aside the deception that has come upon them. To let God use them for his purposes as God has used Paul.