“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?”
Galatians 5:7
In the 2017 World Championships, during the finals of the women’s 3,000m steeplechase (an obstacles running race), one runner omitted a water jump and had to circle around, thereby losing her chance to win. It caused quite an upset in the race. There are, in fact, many stories of runners who failed to stay on the course, resulting in losses or disappointments.
Paul had taught the churches in Galatia the gospel of Jesus Christ as summarized in Romans 3:23-25a: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.” But after Paul left, others wanted to adjust that gospel, making it no longer completely and totally dependent upon God’s grace and what Jesus had done.
The Message paraphrase of Paul’s words to the Galatians says, “You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? This detour doesn’t come from the One who called you into the race in the first place” (5:7-9). Stay the course with Jesus!
Paul had taught the churches in Galatia the gospel of Jesus Christ as summarized in Romans 3:23-25a: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.” But after Paul left, others wanted to adjust that gospel, making it no longer completely and totally dependent upon God’s grace and what Jesus had done.
The Message paraphrase of Paul’s words to the Galatians says, “You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? This detour doesn’t come from the One who called you into the race in the first place” (5:7-9). Stay the course with Jesus!
Scripture Focus
Galatians 5:1-18
Insight
Thank you, Lord, that You are the One who can keep us on the course that You have set out for us. Amen
Bible In A Year
- 1 Chronicles 22-23
- Psalm 4 9
- Matthew 5
