Had Run My Race In Vain

Galatians 2:2-3 - I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 - However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"—but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 9:21 - To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.

Conclusions:

• Paul recognized the authority of those who seemed to be leaders, and is probably referring to James, Peter and John
• The Spirit searches all things, not in order to know them, for He knows all things
• The Spirit comprehends the depth of God’s nature and His plans of grace; so He is fully competent to make the revelation claimed in 1 Corinthians 2:10
• Because of Christ’s resurrection and ours, we know that serving Him is not empty, useless activity
• Our effort is invested in the Lord’s winning cause
• The Lord will also reward us at His second coming
• Those not having the law are those who have not been raised under the Old Testament law
• Paul accommodated himself to Gentile culture when it did not violate his allegiance to Christ, though he still reckoned that he was under God’s law and Christ’s teachings

Application:

• Has God revealed Himself to me by His Spirit?
• Is my effort invested in the Lord's winning cause?
• Do I accommodate myself to the culture if it does not violate my allegiance to Christ?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible