“You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7).
The Galatians, like some Christians today, were running well, but something hindered them from obeying the truth. No believer can be spiritually successful in living the Christian life if he or she ceases to obey the truth of God’s word.
It is very difficult to fully grasp why some Christians who started off well in their faith and then decided to “drop out of the race.” What could the reasons be? Maybe there’s lack of courage or confidence to take a stand for things most certainly believed among Christians? Or, have they (conveniently) forgotten they were cleansed from their former sins (2 Peter 1:9). Another reason could be a feeling of shame at what others may say or think (Romans 1:16). On these bases, coldness and indifference will certainly creep in and prompt a negative change.
Nor to defend His cause,
Maintain the honor of his word,
The glory of His cross.
—Isaac Watts 1674-1748
The Christian life is compared to a race. The apostle Paul says, “You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7). From the time we surrendered our life in faith and obedience to God and until the time we get home to heaven, the race will continue. That is why the Bible teaches “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1,2).
We see here the key to the Christian race is endurance. “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” This race has a goal. The goal is the prize. And the prize is for those who finish the race. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day” (2 Timothy 4:7,8).
The Christian life has much for us to be aware of in our worship and service, which also prepares us to run well for the Lord. “Even the apostle Paul realized he had not yet reached the Lord’s goal for him—which was to know and reflect Jesus fully and completely” (Dr Charles Stanley). Paul confidently declared, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Pressing on is not for a day or two but rather a “continuous” lifetime commitment to the Lord.
The text says: “You were running well,” which indicates some believers in the Galatian Church ran well for a time previously, but failed to continue in obedience to the truth of God’s word. “Previously” is not good enough. Believers are saved with a full and complete salvation.
The world is filled with many distractions. And it tries to get believers to depart from their first love with various inducements. For example, those who “are turning to a different gospel—and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6,7). Let them be accursed (Gal.1:8).
Stick to the word of God. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). Christians must also be careful of the company they keep. The Bible says, “For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14).
My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, How are you running the Christian race? Are you running well? Are you obeying the truth? The Scripture says to you and me: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season will reap if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
Remember, God will renew your strength and you will mount up with wings like eagles; you will run and not be weary; you will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31). May our blessed Lord help you to keep on keeping on until the Day of His appearance.