Galatians 5:7-9 - Homiletics

The sudden swerve of the Galatians from the truth.

They had been making a hopeful progress in the truth, when they suddenly started aside through the influence of the Judaists, to the deep sorrow and unfeigned astonishment of the apostle. Mark—

I. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A GOOD RACE . "Ye did run well." An old divine says, "To run in religion is well, to run well is better, and to accomplish the race is the best of all." It is well in its beginning; so it was emphatically in Galatia: it is well in its progress, and the apostle gives us a fine example of running in his own case—"he pressed to the mark, for the prize" ( Philippians 3:14 )' and it is well in its end ( Hebrews 12:1 ). There are three things here to be considered.

1 . The course. "To obey the truth." This the Galatians were ceasing to do under alien influence. The truth of the gospel already hinted at ( Galatians 2:5 , Galatians 2:14 ), as opposed to every perversion or modification, was the clearly marked course for the believer's race; and it was truth, not merely apprehended with the intellect or admired by the imagination, but obeyed from the heart, realizing, in fact, "the obedience of faith."

2 . The condition. "Looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith" ( Hebrews 12:2 ), for guidance, strength, acceptance, comfort, and eternal life ( Jude 1:20 , Jude 1:21 ). To use a phrase of old Berridge, "Galatian anvils might be used to hammer the doctrines of grace as thin as possible," so as eventually to check the progress of the gospel altogether; for salvation is entirely of grace, and that grace through Jesus Christ.

3 . The prize is a crown of life ( Revelation 2:10 ), a crown of righteousness ( 2 Timothy 4:7 , 2 Timothy 4:8 ), an unfading crown ( 1 Corinthians 9:25 ; 1 Peter 5:4 ).

II. HINDRANCES IN THE CHRISTIAN RACE . "Who did hinder you?" The fact is instructive that such hindrances arise; but they ought to teach us the lesson of our entire dependence on Christ for strength and protection ( John 15:4 ), and the necessity of constant watchfulness ( Mark 13:37 ). The apostle's mode of asking the question, "Who did hinder you?"

1 . Implies astonishment at the sudden perversion of the Galatians.

2 . It asserts that it did not spring from any Divine call: "It cometh not from him that calleth you" ( Romans 9:11 , Romans 9:24 ; 1 Corinthians 1:9 ; 1 Corinthians 7:15 ); it is, indeed, inconsistent with all the purposes included in the effectual call of God.

3 . The question has a conciliatory aspect; for he does not, at least primarily, charge the perversion upon themselves, but upon their Judaistic seducers.

4 . Its answer pointed to these seducers, concerning whom we may infer that:

III. THE NECESSITY FOR INQUIRING INTO THE CAUSES OF RELIGIOUS BACKSLIDING .

1 . The question of the apostle implies this necessity.

2 . There is danger in neglecting the inquiry. The "little leaven" would thus have time to work unhindered.

3 . Our inquiry ought to bear practical fruit. If we have been hindered from running well, let us seek the cause, and apply for restoring grace by prayer, repentance, and faith Hosea 14:1 , 13, 8). If we have been restored from falls or preserved from hindrances, let us caution others of their danger ( Hebrews 4:1 ) and concern ourselves about their welfare ( Luke 22:32 ) and restore the fallen in a spirit of meekness ( Galatians 6:1 ). Thus it will be manifest that to run well must be conducive to our present comfort, to our abiding usefulness, and to our future happiness.