"You ran well."
Text: Galatians 5:7a
A SAD REVIEW
The apostle Paul had fond memories of how the Galatians had received him when he first came to Galatia. They had welcomed him as if they were receiving an angel of God (Galatians 4:14). What had happened to this friendship and fellowship they had enjoyed? What had happened to their faith and life?
You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.
A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Galatians 5:7-9
1. “You ran well”
a) The Galatians had begun well.
i) In their understanding of faith in Christ.
ii) In their relationship with Paul as the founder of their churches.
b) They had faltered badly.
i) They were estranged from Christ.
ii) They were desirous of being under the law.
iii) They were in danger of being in bondage again!
2. “Who hindered you from obeying the truth?”
a) Paul urged them to think clearly.
b) Whoever had taught them had given them bad doctrines.
c) These doctrines were deadly.
d) They were no longer the truth from God’s word!
3. “This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you”
a) This new persuasion did not come from God.
b) The God who called them to salvation and liberty would not have hindered their progress.
4. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump”
a) The false teachers had merely given them morsels of false teachings.
b) These false doctrines were likened to leaven.
c) All you need is to have a little leaven and it would spread.
d) These teachings must be recognised for what they are… false and deadly!