**We are all in a race; running on the correct LANE matters and finishing WELL also matters**

“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?”

{ – The judaizers/agitators/circumcision group had cut the Galatian churches – gentile churches – from running a Good Race. The group was agitating that on top of God’s saving Grace through Christ, the Galatians needed to observe the Jewish customs for their salvation to be complete.

– Paul was wondering why they were turning to ‘another’ gospel which is not gospel at all – having started the RACE well in the SPIRIT, they were now on a downhill to finishing in the FLESH}.

The finishing POINT is bearing Christ image and being with him Forever: ” …… let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, v2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

This race has RULES – keeping in Step with the spirit who reveals God’s mind /will to us- lest one runs a vain race: ” ……. anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:5 NIV

The race must be run objectively, until we hear well done from the one who markered the race for us [Prize Giver] and not spectators: “…….. Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So RUN to WIN!” 1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT