You Did Run Well, Who Hindered You?

YOU DID RUN WELL, WHO HINDERED YOU?

THIS IS A QUESTION I NEVER WANT TO BE ASKED:

GALATIANS 5:7 – YOU DID RUN WELL, WHO DID HINDER YOU THAT YOU SHOULD NOT OBEY THE TRUTH.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS COMPARED TO A RACE.

From the time we are saved to the time we leave this world. Life is not a sprint, it is a marathon. It is not a race of speed to see if we can out run the other. It is a race of endurance. It is a race in which all of us can win and receive the crown of life. Like other races, this race has an end or finish line. This race has a goal or purpose. This race has rules/regulations. Unlike other races, in the Christian race we are not in competition with other runners.

Hebrews 12:1 - Let us run with patience or endurance the race that is set before us.

1 Cor. 9: 24-27 - Run to win. I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest I myself should become a cast away or disqualified.

It is not enough to have run well in the past. God cares about how we are running at the present. The Galatian saints had run well in the past. But what about right now. They were off course. How do we know? They no longer were obeying the truth. Let us be careful not to boast about our past service to the Lord and tell of how faithful we used to be. It is not what we used to be it is what are we doing for the Lord today?

Samson - Ran well but His desire for a woman defeated him.

Judas Iscariot - Ran well at one time, but later betrayed the Lord.

Demas - Ran well but 2 Tim. 4:10 - Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.

Ephesus was known as the Church of Love and its faithful service.

Yet in Rev. 2: 2-5 - Jesus rebuked it for leaving its first love and called on them to remember from where they had fallen, repent, and return to their first works.

WHO DID HINDER YOU? Not What but Who. It is always a Who that leads us a stray. Let me tell you and old saying, You cannot run with the dogs and not get fleas. Who you hang around will determine your success.

You and I must be wise enough to recognize the people in our lives that might be working to hinder us from walking faithfully with our Lord. Then, we must be strong enough to deal with those people.

Our souls are at stake. We must not allow anything or anyone to pull us away from our first love. We must be prepared to echo the words of Jesus: “Get behind Me, Satan” (Luke 4:8).

THE GREATEST WHO IS OURSELVES. If we fail we cannot blame anyone but ourselves.

Here are some ways to stay in the race and not become a castaway or become disqualified.

Read and Study your Bible - 2 Tim. 2:15 - Study to show yourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of God.

Prayer - Lk. 18:1 - Men ought always to pray - I Th. 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.

Attend Church Faithfully - Heb. 10:25 - Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.

Be faithful in Giving to the Lord - Tithe; Time; Testimony; Talent.

IT IS OUR JOB TO CONTINUE IN OBEYING THE TRUTH NO MATTER WHAT NOT JUST PART OF OUR LIFE BUT UNTIL THE END.

Mt. 24:13 - He that endures to the end shall be saved

As God’s children, we must keep on obeying His truth. Yes, it is an ongoing process. If I ever stop obeying the truth, it will be for one reason and one reason only. Others can hinder me. Others can influence me. Yet, in the end, it all comes down to my own personal choice. Will I, or will I not, choose to continue to obey the truth? It really is a matter of choice! On judgment day, it will do me no good to point an accusing finger at others, because we all will be judged according to what we personally have done.

Brothers and sisters, let’s be honest with ourselves and with one another. Right now, at this very hour, how are you and I running the race?

Gal. 5:1 - Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.