Galatians 2:11-16
Relax, Read and Reflect
Prayer- Lord, Open my heart and open my mind and help me learn. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
11When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
14When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
15"We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' 16know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
Paul and Peter may have been the two most influential people in Christianity, (not counting Christ,) yet they had differences. Some of the people back in Jerusalem thought that Paul was "watering down" the gospel for the gentiles. Peter went to Antioch with some of his followers, who were all jews. While eating, Peter did not eat with the gentiles. He did not eat with his Jewish friends either, but Paul confronted him. By his actions, (not breaking bread with non-jews,) Peter was placing Jewish law ahead of what he knew Christ commanded. Paul held him accountable. Laws are important, but they are not what gets you into heaven. Only by faith is that possible.
We all know very strong Christians who do things we do not agree with. Should we get in there face and confront them? Maybe, it depends. First; make sure that what you are doing is firmly rooted in love. Love for the other Christian and love for Christ. If we can’t absolutely things are based in love, then what are they based in? Carefully consider the situation. What would be the probable outcome of confrontation? How could this situation be used positively for the work of God?
If after prayerful consideration you still believe that you need to challenge the other person, do so.
None of us are perfect. None of us know all the answers, remember-that is why we need faith. Hopefully you can help your brother or sister in Christ gain more knowledge. Maybe you will learn more than they will. We will not always agree on different situation and positions, but this is how the Church grows and becomes a stronger institution. Remember this, all is through Christ. Laws are good to help society function, Christ is supreme in our life.
Prayer- Lord, Help me to have patience with other people. Help me understand the truth, and give me the strength to show it to others. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
Prayer- Lord, Open my heart and open my mind and help me learn. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
11When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
14When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
15"We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' 16know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
Paul and Peter may have been the two most influential people in Christianity, (not counting Christ,) yet they had differences. Some of the people back in Jerusalem thought that Paul was "watering down" the gospel for the gentiles. Peter went to Antioch with some of his followers, who were all jews. While eating, Peter did not eat with the gentiles. He did not eat with his Jewish friends either, but Paul confronted him. By his actions, (not breaking bread with non-jews,) Peter was placing Jewish law ahead of what he knew Christ commanded. Paul held him accountable. Laws are important, but they are not what gets you into heaven. Only by faith is that possible.
We all know very strong Christians who do things we do not agree with. Should we get in there face and confront them? Maybe, it depends. First; make sure that what you are doing is firmly rooted in love. Love for the other Christian and love for Christ. If we can’t absolutely things are based in love, then what are they based in? Carefully consider the situation. What would be the probable outcome of confrontation? How could this situation be used positively for the work of God?
If after prayerful consideration you still believe that you need to challenge the other person, do so.
None of us are perfect. None of us know all the answers, remember-that is why we need faith. Hopefully you can help your brother or sister in Christ gain more knowledge. Maybe you will learn more than they will. We will not always agree on different situation and positions, but this is how the Church grows and becomes a stronger institution. Remember this, all is through Christ. Laws are good to help society function, Christ is supreme in our life.
Prayer- Lord, Help me to have patience with other people. Help me understand the truth, and give me the strength to show it to others. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
posted by Steve Killam TMTL | 6:46 AM
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