Known by God, Not Defined by Ritual

April 28, 2026

KNOWN BY GOD

Galatians 4:9–10 “But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!”

Our relationship with God doesn’t begin with us knowing Him. It begins with Him knowing us. It’s His initiative, His grace, and His call. That’s our security. And yet, despite this, the Galatians were drifting.

“How is it that you are turning back…?” They were returning to what Paul calls weak and miserable forces, systems that looked spiritual, but had no power to save or sustain. In their case, it showed up in religious observances; Days, Months, Seasons, and Years. Not sinful in themselves, but these observances were dangerous when treated as a means of gaining acceptance with God.

This is the warning. IT’S POSSIBLE TO MOVE FROM RELATIONSHIP BACK INTO RITUAL, from grace back into performance, and from freedom back into slavery. The issue isn’t the outward practice, it’s the inward reliance.

When we begin to trust in what we do rather than what Christ has done, we drift. This is something that we all need to be mindful of. Why return to what once held you?

We are known by God and brought into a relationship with Him by grace; don’t return to religious systems or man-made rituals that can’t give life. Stay in the freedom of knowing Him.

Prayer:
Father, thank You that You have known me and called me into a relationship with You. Guard me from drifting back into performance or empty religion. Help me to live in the freedom of Your grace and remain anchored in Christ. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Have a great day. God bless and lots’a love,
Warren