It is interesting to me that there are many people in this category – they ran well (serving Christ) for a while, but no more. They once knew the truth of salvation and other doctrines and practiced them. Now, they run no more the course that God set for them.

These people had stopped serving Christ and being faithful to the race God set before them and have turned aside and no longer believe the simple truth. Paul talked about those who had come to believe “another gospel: which is not another” (Gal. 1:6,7).

They now believed and taught that some deed (circumcision – or baptism, or holding on to the end, or keeping the Ten Commandments) is necessary for salvation. Paul wants them to notice that it must have been some man who hindered their belief in the truth and not God.

The truth of God’s Word frees the believer from the law. The law is not necessary at all for salvation or for staying saved. Christ’s precious blood paid the full price. His Holy Spirit within gives us enablement to please God. When we sin, we can be forgiven quickly (I John 1:9).

Christians are to believe the truth of God’s Word and follow it as our Supreme Guide for faith and practice. It requires reading it daily and studying it to be able to rightly interpret it (II Timothy 2:15) and avoid error.

Are you running well today and obeying God – or some twisted version of the Word? Do you read it every day? If not, it is time to begin – and you will grow when you do.