Lesson 51 October 6, 2002

Review:

5:7 Indictment of the source of legalism

You were running well;

who hindered you from obeying the truth?

Summary 5:7

1. Paul first commends them for the spiritual momentum that they exhibited in the past.

2. To run well or honorably reflects this spiritual advance as believers.

3. The race that Paul talks about running begins when we believe in Christ and continues until we're face to face.

4. Since Paul uses tenses that indicate continuous ongoing action in all the verbs, it reminds us that these issues related to running the race must be dealt with through out our lives. 1 Cor. 9:24-27; 2 Tim. 4:6-8

5. Being persuaded by the truth so that we we're obedient to that truth is crucial to running the race with honor.

6. What Paul is challenging them with here with his question is to once again motivate them to think things through, who and what has impacted your thinking so that you are now disobedient to the truth.

7. He also wants them to see that they are attempting to run the race by legalistic self effort and not by faith.

5:8 Where this persuasion is not from!

This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.

What we find here the means of putting an obstruction in the path, a hindrance that he mentioned in the previous verse; that is through persuasive argumentation.

SUMMARY: 5:8

1. Legalism is not part of the race that God has called us to run.

2. Grace never calls or motivates one by legalism.

3. Some of what God called us for:

a. Fellowship with His Son. 1 Cor 1:9

b. To peace in relationships. 1 Cor 7:15

c. Realization of His grace. Gal 1:6

d. To freedom. Gal 5:13

e. Walk in a worthy manner. 1Thes 2:12

f. Sanctification. 1Thes 4:7

g. Holiness. 1 Pet 1:15

h. To get out of darkness into light.1 Pet 2:9

i. To suffer. 1 Pet 2:21

j. To inherit a blessing.

4. The One who called us is Faithful. 1Thes 5:24

5. He called us from His own glory and excellence. II Pet 1:3

6. We have been called to dinner. Rev 19:9