I Can't Go Back!

Galatians 5:7 You were running a good race. who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?

William McDowell has a song that says, "I can't go back to the way it used to be, before your presence came and changed me." What a powerful song about the determination to live for Jesus. We all reach that place where we have to decide whether we are going forward or backward. Our forward momentum is always threatened by people or things from our past who want to cut in on us and take us back to where God delieverd us from.

The beginning of this year many of us made up our minds that we wouldn't go back to the way things used to be. It's March and some of us are standing still contemplating going back. You can't go back! you were doing so good. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?

Paul was talking to the new Christians in Galatia. They were running a good race of faith, believing in Jesus for the first time, only to have some Judiazers cut in on them by demanding they go back to the tradition of circumcision. Paul was angry that these Jewish believers would try to drag these gentile believers backward by trying to keep the law when they were saved by grace. Paul speaking allegorically says, "Don't let them CUT in on you!" Paul was so angry that he said he wished they would castrate themselves for trying to trip of these new Christians by taking them backwards.

You are making great momentum. This is not the time to go backwards. In order to keep going forward these are some of the people you need to avoid:

1. People who are trying to drag you back to tradition. When religious people see you headed in a New Direction they will try to drag you back to where they are comfortable. If you are growing in Christ you shouldn't have to go back to make religious people feel comfortable.

2. Old People trying to get in front of something God is doing new. Beware of old people popping up in a new season. Here you are doing great and growing then they want to cut in. I don't think so! Recognize the timing of when people try to cut in on you.

3. People who are slowing you down. You need to cut off some relationships with people who can't keep up with what God is doing in your life. You need people to run with you not slow you down.

Dear God,

Help me to keep running. I've come too far to turn around now. Give me staying power so I can finish strong! Don't let anything or anybody cut in on me and keep me from obeying the truth. Lord, I'm running trying to make 100, and 99 1/2 won't do! I can't go back.

In Jesus Name,
Amen