TOPIC:“Where Did You Go Wrong?”
by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap
TEXT:Galatians 5:1-10
“You did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth?”(5:7)
There is nothing more wonderful than when a person steps out of the old life of sin into the new life of salvation. It is indeed a thrilling sight to behold the forgiveness of God in action when an individual is truly born-again by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Let me ask you: Do you remember the day of your salvation? The moment when Jesus Christ found you as a lost sinner and He gave you a lasting salvation. Without doubt, I believe, that is the greatest experience that a person can have this side of Heaven. It certainly is the most thrilling. And nothing can compare with it.
But how sad it is when a believer no longer walks with God. They turn away, backslide, become lukewarm, leave their first love. What a tragedy this is - to be out and out for Christ, perhaps even a soul-winner, and then for some reason to turn away and no longer give their allegiance to the Lord. Now I see this condition happening to Christians all over this country.
And in Paul's day the church at Galatia had this happen to some of their believers. In spite of their excellent beginning, something had gone wrong. Someone had hindered them. This is clearly seen by the way some of the other translations have rendered the words found in verse 7. Let me show you what I mean.
The NIV has it: “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” The New Living Translation renders it: “You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth?” Phillips fine wording is: “You were making splendid progress; who put you off the course you had set for the truth?” Weymouth is excellent here: “Who has got in the way of your obeying the truth?”
The Apostle Paul was fond of comparing the Christian life to a race that demanded discipline if the race is to be successfully completed. The Galatian Christians had begun the race well. They had both a head understanding and a heart acceptance of Christianity. But notice the word “hinder” in verse 7. It is a military term referring primarily to the setting up of an obstacle, thus making it impossible to run the race. The Galatian believers had begun their race well, but someone had cut in on them, causing them to break stride and stumble.
Now the questions arise: Who or what hindered these believers at Galatia? Who cut in on them? Who put them off course? Who interfered with them so that they no longer remained faithful in following the Lord and joyful in serving the Lord? Obviously it was those legalistic Judaizers who endeavored . . .