Galatians 4:9
But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?
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I have said many times that we should not expect righteous behavior from unrighteous people, it should not surprise us. We should share both the Word of God and the love of God with them as we have opportunity. However, it is a sad thing indeed that the apostle Paul had to write to the people in the churches of Galatia and rebuke them for deserting Christ and turning to a different gospel, relying on the works of the Law rather than faith in the grace of God. {Gal.1:6} That is unrighteous behavior for sure! And it is even sadder still to see that same thing happening in our day.

Paul, Peter and John all warn against those false prophets and teachers who would attempt to persuade believers to leave behind their faith which is based on the gift of the Father and the work of Jesus on the cross. That is the faith that had paid for their salvation and ours, and to choose rather to trust in their own works in the Law. Peter, referring to Solomon's writing, {Pro.26:11} compared that to a dog returning to his own vomit. {2Pt.2:22} And that is not a pretty picture either then or now.

When we accepted that precious gift of saving love purchased by the blood of the Lamb, God did not dust us off, pretty us up and make us more pleasing to Him—no, so much more; He made each of us a new creation. {2Cor.5:17} Cleansed from the stain of sin, free from condemnation and the law of sin and death, {Rom.8:1-2} totally acceptable to Him and now a part of the family of God and able to call Him Abba, Father. {Rom.8:14-15} All thanks to the Lord Jesus who shed His blood for us.

Obviously, as it is written, Satan who goes about seeking whom he may devour {1Pt.5:8} is doing whatever he can to undo that. So we are instructed to resist the devil {Jas.4:7} and to be alert and stand firm in the faith, {1Cor.16:13}

The foundation of the apostle's message to the Galatians is the fact that God knows us far better than we do ourselves and that now we know God. Prior to our salvation it is highly likely that you and I knew about God, but that is not the same as knowing Him. The Scriptures tell us that Adam knew (yâda in Hebrew) the woman and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. {Gen.4:1} That is knowledge gained and expressed through total intimacy! And that is exactly the way the Lord knows us and the way we are to know Him. The Lord told Jeremiah that He knew him before He formed him in the womb! {Jer.1:5} Our God who is no respecter of men {Acts 10:34} spoke to us through David to make us aware of how He knew him and now knows us:

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.” (Psalms 139:1-5)

LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART