The Pains of Childbirth

Deuteronomy 22-24; Galatians 4 

“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!”

Galatians 4:19, 20

To bear a child is an incredible miracle and it is no different than bearing spiritual children through the work of the Gospel. The process from first hearing the gospel message to fully surrendering our lives to Christ can take months or even years. The process of repenting and responding to the conviction of the Holy Spirit is painful. The intercession required for someone to be born again can be painful, like the pains of childbirth. This costly process gives spiritual parents a sense of responsibility for the healthy growth and development of their spiritual children. For Paul, the influence of the “Judaizers” was a threat to the health of a young Church.

Have we birthed spiritual children?

Have we invested in the development and cared about the threats to the spiritual health of those we have led to Christ?

Are we invested in the multiplication of the Church through the world, regardless of the cost?

“Lord Jesus, fill me with your love for the Church, for your glory.”