My Dear Children

Galatians 4:17-20 - Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Romans 8:29 - For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Ephesians 4:11-13,15 - It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ…Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Philippians 4:1 - Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

Conclusions:

• "Those people" are Judaizers
• Paul has an affectionate relationship toward his converts
• "My dear children" only occurs in Galatians 4:19 in Paul's writings, but is common in John's
• The goal of Paul's ministry is to have Christ formed in his converts
• Some hold that God not only knew us before we had any knowledge of Him but that He also knew us, in the sense of choosing us by His grace, before the foundation of the world
• Others believe that Paul, in Romans 8:29, refers to the fact that in eternity past God knew those who by faith would become His people
• The reason God foreknew, predestined and conformed believers to Christ's likeness is that the Son might hold the position of highest honor in the great family of God
• Unity is not just a matter of a loving attitude or religious feeling, but of truth and a common understanding about God's Son
• In the face of libertine practices, we should follow Paul's example, having our minds set on heavenly things
• We should stand firm in the midst of present struggles for the sake of the gospel
• We all are to become mature

Application:

• Were you foreknown, predestined and now conformed to Christ's likeness?
• Do you have a conviction about Christ and the doctrines concerning Him?
• Do you stand firm in the midst of present struggles for the sake of the gospel?
• Are you becoming mature?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible