Three Things To Help You Keep Running The Race

by David McCoy

The Bible says in Galatians 5:7: “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?”  Through the years I have seen some great people serving God and running their race well. Then something happened; they took their eyes off the goal, got off track, and became casualties of the ministry.  I have seen it happen over and over again.  It breaks my heart to see this, but there is no need to be naïve; it happens all the time.  I want to finish well, living for God, serving Him with all of my heart.

There are several things to consider about this scripture.  Isn’t it interesting that the Apostle Paul did not ask what hindered you, why you were hindered, how you were hindered, when you were hindered, or even where you were hindered, but “Who did hinder you?”  The word “hinder” means to slow down, to impede progress, to delay.  He is asking who got in the way that caused you to slow down or even quit running.  The Bible says nothing about how fast you run, but it has much to say about how well you run and if you finish.

There are three things that will help you continue without being “hindered.”

First of all, there are some people you must forgive.

Bitterness derails many Christians who used to run well.  Remember what Jesus said on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  They didn’t ask for forgiveness, nor did they think they needed forgiveness; but the Son of God forgave them anyway.  There will be people in your life, along the way, whom you must forgive so that you are not hindered in this race of the Christian life.

Secondly, there are some folks you need to forget.

You know in your heart that they continually impede your progress for God.  Many of these people are good people; they are just not traveling at the same pace you are. They are not as consumed with the goal as they should be; and if you allow them, they will hinder you, perhaps even make it their goal to do so. Forgive them, forget them, and keep moving on.

Thirdly, there are some that you must forsake.

These are the people who are not going in the same direction.  Beware and stay away—these create a grave danger for you.  They are in a different category altogether. They will do more than impede your progress; they will derail you so that you are no longer running.

I meet people all of the time who are what I call “used-to-be” Christians.  They used to sing in the choir, they used to usher, they used to go to church, they used to teach Sunday School, they used to run a bus route.  To those I say, “What happened? You were running so well!”

by David McCoy

Original article can be found at http://peoplesbaptist.com/blog/post/you-were-doing-so-well–what-happened