READ: Galatians 5 (Focus vs. 7-10)
MEMORY VERSE
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20
BACKGROUND
It was Tuesday at the gym, so the people walking around the track were supposed to go clockwise. The first walkers my wife joined were doing that.
But then another person walked onto the track going counterclockwise. A couple of her friends joined her—and then another. Suddenly there was chaos on the track—and it took a few minutes to restore order.
While the wrong-way walkers intended no harm, I couldn’t help but think about the power of influence. One person headed the wrong way leads to another, and on it goes.
It’s a bit like Proverbs 13:20: “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Following a person going the wrong way leads to trouble.
In Galatians 5, Paul explains how such a mistake can halt our spiritual progress. “You were running a good race,” he says. “Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you” (vv. 7-8).
God, who desires obedience, never leads us away from truth and “into confusion” (v. 10). But those who oppose His truth can hamper our spiritual walk by redirecting us from Him.
God wants to be our guide. When we walk with Him, we’ll never wander in the wrong direction.
Dave Branon
INSIGHT
In his letter to the churches in Galatia, Paul takes up one of his most passionate arguments—that believers in Jesus don’t need to become culturally Jewish in order to enjoy the blessings of Christ’s life of faithfulness.
The apostle argues that he has the credentials to proclaim the gospel, recounting not only his history of Jewish perfectionism but also receiving Peter’s (Cephas’) stamp of approval on his call by Christ (1:18; 2:9).
Then he tells the story of confronting Peter to his face about his choice to avoid the uncircumcised gentiles out of fear of some of the Jews (2:11-21).
Chapter 5 reiterates that Christ has made us right with God and won our freedom. Requiring believers to follow the law denies the truth of the gospel (vv. 1-10). But encouraging them to spend time in the Scriptures directs their steps toward truth and keeps them from wandering in the wrong direction.
APPLICATION
In what situations are you allowing someone to lead you away from God? What can you do to change your course?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“God wants to be our guide. When we walk with Him, we’ll never wander in the wrong direction.”
PR’s TAKE
The closer you walk with God, the less room for anything to come between.” Anonymous
PRAYER
“Dear God, thank You for Scripture, which tells me to direct my steps toward You. Please help me follow You better today.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“TRUST AND OBEY”
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way…
But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
For the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way…
Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
what He says we will do,
where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
