"Who Hinders?" 

Galatians 5:7-8 "You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you."

Paul is addressing creeping legalism in the early church here. Paul asks an easy question and then gives a big clue to the answer. Who is the hinderer? My first thought was the one who is the liar, the divider, the destroyer and the accuser. Our enemy, the devil. satan (not capitalizing his name, even at the beginning of a sentence is a matter of personal disrespect). his influence, impact and deleterious effect on humans is disastrous. he wants to steal our joy and ruin our lives. satan loves legalism because he is anti-grace. What would Jesus do instead? Jesus my LORD is truth and the unifier, He is the Creator and forgiver. (Capitalizing His Name is a personal matter of respect and glory.) His influence, impact and redemptive affect on humans are miraculous. He wants to complete our joy and fulfill our lives. Jesus loves grace. If you were running well, go back to obeying the truth. Be persuaded by Him. He cares for you. Be careful who you listen to. He calls your name. Listen.

For Him,
Pastor Fred