YOU WERE RUNNING WELL… (Gal. 5:7-13)
The Scripture never uses the image of a race to tell people how to be justified (i.e. Eph. 2:8-9), but it is only for saved people (Gal. 5:7a; 1 Cor. 9:24-26; Acts 20:24; Heb. 12:1-2, 12-13; 2 Tim. 2:7, etc.). Just like in the Greek games which required citizenship of all its participants, to run for Jesus, you must be a citizen of His kingdom (Col. 1:13-14; Eph. 2:19; Phil. 3:20, John 3:7, etc.).
“You ran well…” (Gal. 5:7a; 4:14-15), but someone had cut in on them trying to knock them off course (Gal. 5:7b). It was not God who did this, but an enemy (Gal. 5:8; Gal. 1:6-9; Gen. 3:1, etc.). Sadly, this poison, like yeast, had SPREAD (Gal. 5:9; Ex. 12:15-19; 13:7; 34:25; Matt. 16:6-12; 1 Cor. 5, etc.). Still, Paul was “confident” Christians there would judge the false teachers, but even if they did not, he also knew “God the judge of all,” would one day make everything right when He returns (Gal. 5:10; Heb. 12:23; 2 Cor. 5:9-10; Rev. 20:11-15, etc.). It is the Gospel, not legalism, that brings persecution because it leaves no place for good works as a means to get to heaven- exposing people’s sins (Gal. 5:11; Eph. 6:12f; 2 Tim. 3:12; Col. 2:20-23, Rom. 3:23, etc.) God then uses sarcasm to emphasize this error must stop (Gal. 5:12; Ps. 2:4, etc.). But legalism is not the only thing that must be “cut off” (1 Cor. 10:14, etc.). Unconfessed indulgence in the flesh also brings bondage (Gal. 5:13a, 17; Rom. 6:12; 1 Pet. 2:11, etc.). To stay free, we are called to be “a slave to Christ,” like Paul was (Gal. 1:10b), serving “one another” in God’s “love” (Gal. 5:1, 13b; 2 Cor. 3:17; John 10:10, etc.).
Pastor Dave
My passion is to protect and promote the truth, and teach others to do the same through the faithful teaching of the Bible.
Gospel means “good news.” While we can have good news throughout our lives in many forms, the good news God shares with us is the forgiveness of sin through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
My cell is 208-597-1508, or you can also reach me at pastor@springhillchurchspokane.org