Here is where Paul’s argument comes to full. Peter, a leader, the Rock, an apostle, was again hiding his faith and letting his Jewish past trump his love for Christ. Peter was more afraid of what people thought of him than in spreading the Gospel. This is funny since Peter is the first to be sent to the Gentiles, and the first to recognize that God’s gift is available to all men.
The book of Acts (sometimes referred to as the Acts of the Apostles) records a Peter who was once bold in his faith, for a time. People used to line up along the streets just to have Peter’s shadow fall upon them! Then stories of Peter seem to fade as others like James accept leadership into the fledgling church – which is okay since the story is about Jesus not Peter.
At about the same time, Jesus seeks out Paul and sends Paul to work, a work that would eventually be primarily just to the Gentiles. I wonder if Peter was ever able to accept that God’s fullness was equally available to the Gentiles as it was for the Jews. I wonder if Christ knew Peter would be weak in this one area of his faith and looked for a more zealous individual to carry the message of salvation to the Gentiles regardless of the consequences. That someone may have been Paul.
Before 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. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. Galatians 2:12-13 (NIV)
I am not questioning Peter’s faith but more his motives. Paul does the same. Certain men came under the orders of James to evaluate the work of Peter and Paul and the others among the Gentiles. Peter, upon their arrival, withdraws from all work he had gladly done among the Gentiles. Peter did not want the other Jews to think he had lost his Jewish faith.
Peter was trying to stay faithful to the very faith that Jesus came to fix! Peter’s actions had a negative affect on the other Jews, including, of all people, Barnabas. This could have been where Barnabas and Paul began to experience a strained relationship – John Mark just became an excuse for both of them to part ways.
Paul’s point was simple. The law could not save anyone. Jesus came to fix this by offering grace to all who put their faith in Him. For the Jewish leaders to make Gentile and Jewish believers live under the old Jewish customs, the church “leaders” were “adding” to the Gospel. They were also devaluing the death of Jesus who died to set men free from the confines of the law and from the confines of restrictive worship. The law condemns while the grace of God redeems!
We are justified by faith not by the law. Observing the law only increases guilt. Jewish customs were just more observations of the law. Peter’s actions were “rebuilding” a life that was crucified with Christ. We – our old lives – don’t live. Christ lives in us – He becomes the life within us!
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" Galatians 2:21 (NIV)
We can only live this life by faith in Christ. Justification allows us to approach God through Christ and live in God’s purpose. “Adding” customs only negates what Jesus accomplished on the cross. If customs and laws would have worked, then Jesus needlessly would have died on the cross. His death would not have been necessary – yet it was because the law cannot produce life.
This is where many confuse governing with faith. Many Christians, and non-Christians alike, believe that law will govern action and make people righteous. Sadly, law only punishes, and it includes the least of offenders in that punishment. In fact, law can make the innocent guilty! We have proved in our own society that law does not create righteous people much to the chagrin of people like atheists Richard Dawkins who wants to arrest the Pope.
Only life justified by Christ will free us to live as God intended – full of grace, hope, and charity. Righteousness comes through faith in Christ. The law can never make a person righteous. That’s something to think about! Being politically correct does not equal righteousness. Political correctness only creates self-righteous behavior. Give me Jesus – I like His way better!
- What stands out about how Paul handled his interaction with Peter?
- How would you have approached Peter?
- What does being justified by faith mean to you?
- How does your life reflect living full of grace, hope, and charity?
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