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AIRBRUSHING (GALATIANS 4:12-20)

Paul reminds the Galatian Christians of their former strong bond, love and cordial relationship and cautions them against being taken advantage of by false teachers who promote Judaism over the truth of the Gospel.

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is airbrushing. Airbrush is a device for spraying paint by using compressed air, however, using the phrase or word airbrushing figuratively means to represent something different from what it really is. In other words misrepresentation of fact or falsifying the truth. Airbrushing could also mean covering up or altering the fact or reality with intention of hiding the truth. The relationship between Paul and the Galatian Church had deteriorated or had become cold. This was as a result of Paul’ telling them the truth about their foolishness (Galatians 3:1-3) in believing the false teachers who drew them away from the Gospel of Christ

Paul reminded the Galatians that he had no personal grudge with them and took the opportunity to remind the Galatians of their love and affection for him when he first brought the Gospel to them. Even in his ill health and deplorable condition they did not reject him but showed him unconditional love and accepted the Gospel he brought to them and became believers in Christ. (Galatians 4:12-14) In other words, Paul brought them the truth (the Gospel) and they showed him, love, accepted and believed in the truth (Gospel). When the Galatians started to entertain false teachers, Paul again was telling them the truth and they now dislike him because they have been airbrushed by fake teachers who taught them that justification is not through faith in Jesus alone but through the works of the Mosaic law and customs. Paul addressed the Galatian Church,  “For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (Galatians 4:15-16). Where the truth (the Gospel) is spoken or preached in love, misrepresentation or airbrushing of the truth (the Gospel) by fake teachers or leaders makes the truth no longer desirable to immature Christians with doubtable faith, unrooted allegiance to Christ and a weak Biblical foundation. We are admonished in James 3:1 that “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness”. Teachers here refers to pastors, presbyters or anyone who is given the responsibility of leading guiding and instructing others in matters of the Christian faith. 

The key lesson in today reflection is that whereas the Gospel establishes unconditional love and cordial relationship among followers of Christ, fake teachers and wrong doctrines divide the church of Christ and sows discord among believers or disciples of Christ. This was Paul’s major concern, that fake teachers drew the attention of the Galatian Church to themselves and not Christ. They made people believe in works of the law and not faith in Christ as the justification to become children of God. Paul warned the Galatian church about the deceptive agenda and waywardness of the fake teachers who stressed Judaism over the pure message of the Gospel of Christ. Paul warned the Galatians when he wrote that  “They (Fake teachers) make much of you, but for no good purpose. They (fake teachers) want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. (Galatians 4:17-20)

Pastors and other church leaders of the 21st must guard against airbrushing the Gospel in their churches. We airbrush the Gospel if we fail to teach and tell them the truth using the Bible as the foundation of our faith. We airbrush the truth if we make church members believe in us more than Jesus who is the “founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2). Again, we engage in airbrushing of the truth if we mislead church members to believe doctrines that are not founded or centred on the Gospel of Christ. It is also important to note that because of the personal interest of some leaders in the church, they sow the seed of confusion and discord thereby dividing the church of Christ and making their followers hate the truth of the Gospel which “is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13) My dear friend, do not be tempted to engage in airbrushing of the truth or the Word of God in the church of Christ but be guided by the Gospel of Christ in all your endeavours speaking the truth and showing love unconditionally. Shalom.

PRAYER 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Amen (Philippians 4:8-9)

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)