Our son Drew is on a National Broadway Tour of the hit musical, Chicago. Eric and I have enjoyed getting to know the uber talented yet gracious cast and have seen it twice so far. In the musical, the story behind the story that strikes me is that the American public craves salacious journalism at almost any cost. The objects of their news stories will go to great lengths for a day in the spotlight. It has been around for a while, so I don’t think I am spoiling the plot when I tell you the lawyer in the story is a master at The Razzle Dazzle. There is even a song he sings to explain what this means. It’s a flashy display intended to confuse and deceive. He assures his client that he will present a theatrical defense, turning the murder trial into a show that will captivate the jury, thus making them forget about the truth and focus on the entertainment. When he says, “how can they hear the truth above the roar,” what he is really saying is the noise and spectacle of the performance will drown out the truth, ensuring a favorable outcome.1
Telling the Truth can make enemies
Paul has been a little harsh to the Galatians because he fears his work with them served no purpose. Now he tries a different approach and appeals to them based on pastoral affection. He begs them as brothers to be like him, free from the bondage of Jewish ritualism.2 Then he reminds them of how kind they were to him when he first came to them. Apparently Paul had some type of physical ailment that prevented him from continuing on his missionary journey for a time. That’s how he ended up preaching to them. His condition was grotesque and troublesome. But instead of regarding him with contempt, they chose to treat him like he was an angel sent from God, even as they would have treated Christ Jesus Himself. What happened to the blessed enjoyment and satisfaction that was once theirs because of what he taught them? He says some of them would have been willing to gouge out their own eyes and give them to him. That’s how deeply they once cared. And now he’s suddenly their enemy simply because he is telling them the Truth?
Has this ever happened to you? You see that someone you care about is being persuaded to believe something that is simply not true. And it could hurt them. Try as you might, you can’t get them to believe otherwise. Some part of them wants what they are hearing to be true. It makes their life easier, so they think. The people persuading them are false, but they are saying all of the right things to be very convincing.
Or maybe you are the one believing the lies?
Here comes The Razzle Dazzle.
What happens when false teachers go to great lengths to flatter you so you forget about the truth? Instead they want you to focus on joining their club. It makes you feel so good that these spiritual leaders thought you were good enough to be included. But the only way to get in is to follow their rules. Their goal is for you to make them feel important by telling them how great they are. And if you don’t, you will be excluded. Once you get in, they pat you on the head and look down on you because you will never really be one of them. And then it seems too late. They convinced you that you so badly wanted to be included but once they let you in, you can only stay if you remember your place.
What if it’s not actually too late?
It’s good for someone to make much of you provided it is for a good purpose, one that is pure and seeks true goodness in your heart and life. You know, like Paul did when he was with the Galatians. That’s what he wants them to remember.
Paul says, you are still my little children. I feel like I am agonizing in childbirth over you because I long to see you mature completely in Christ. I feel like I am at my wits end. I wish I could be with you and convince you more gently in person that it’s not too late to give up membership in a club where you will never be satisfied and exchange it for a relationship with Christ who will free you to be all He made you to be. All for the Glory of God!
12 Brothers,[a] I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?[b]17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
Pictured in the second photo is Eric and me on our back porch with Drew and the rest of the cast of the National Broadway Tour of the musical, Chicago!
Amplified Bible. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation. Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
