Gal.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?
The reason that people have a tendency to turn back to the law; that is, performance-based Christianity, is because they don’t understand the love of God, and therefore don’t understand the grace of God. This verse, as well as the whole book of Galatians, was written to convince Christians that they don’t have to go back to living under the law to earn God’s favor and provision. Pay close attention to what the first line in verse nine has to say. It says it is not nearly as important that you have come to know God, as it is that you are known by God. As a matter of fact, until you understand that you are known by God you will never really know God, and therefore, never really trust Him or to be able to truly love Him in the way He longs to be loved.
You see, to realize that we are fully known by Him from the very beginning of our relationship with Him, is the foundation of living a life of faith, trusting fully in His grace at all times. He knows everything about you. He knows all your weaknesses; all of your tendencies, and your flaws, and everything about your past. All the imperfections that you try to keep hidden from other people; He knows. In light of that knowledge, He has fully loved and freely loved you, and as John 13 says, He will love you until the end. Not only has He fiercely loved you; He, at your new birth, equipped you with all grace to live the Christian life. Therefore, to understand that you are fully known by Him is the beginning of actually knowing Him, and understanding, and being able to totally trust Him, and thus live a life of faith in this amazing God of grace.