Day 894: In step with the truth - Galatians 2 vs 11 - 16

11-13 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” 15-16 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified (counted righteous) by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. Galatians 2:11-16 English Standard Version

Paul had returned from his visit to Jerusalem rejoicing in the 'right hand of fellowship' that the apostles there had extended to him and Barnabas, and in the encouragement they had given him to carry on with the work he was doing among the gentile nations. Sadly, as often happens in life, it turned out to be one step forward and then two steps back! And wanting to keep the Christians in Galatia from being led into the same error, Paul tells them what happened when the apostle Peter visited Antioch where he and Barnabas were based. (vs 11-13)

It seems that Peter had been enjoying the freedom from legalism that the message of Jesus brings to people. But when Jewish Christians who wanted everyone to still follow Jewish traditions arrived on the scene, Peter panicked, and his backtracking caused the good man Barnabas to forget the gospel as well. So how did Paul respond to this situation? (vs 14)

He challenged what he saw as hypocritical behaviour. But he did so publicly, and to Peter's face, not behind his back. There's a lesson for all of us there. So many Churches have been divided by people who backstab other members (and leaders) instead of talking face to face over issues that may be troubling them, and which they feel are important. What was the issue that Paul felt was so important that he challenged Peter? (vs 15-16)

It was the vital question of how can people who are guilty of sin be put into a right relationship with a God who is holy and just? And Paul reminded Peter that the laws which the Jews had been given through Moses were not able to bring that relationship about. It's not that God's laws were bad; it was because men and women continually fall short of what a holy law demands. Jesus Christ is the only man who ever lived who was blameless in the eyes of God. And that's why He could offer Himself as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of those He came to save. That's why Paul says that Christians are people who have been 'justified through faith in Jesus Christ.' They are counted, or regarded, as being righteous.

Paul saw how crucial this truth is, and he reminded Peter that no one will be justified by works of the law. Keeping a Sabbath day as best they could would not wash away their sins. Being circumcised would not remove the lusts of their hearts. Sacrificing a lamb in the temple would not make them perfect. It is only through what Jesus did on the cross that any man or woman can be put into a right relationship with God.

Paul challenged Peter and Barnabas because he saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel. That's something that believers today will probably need to do more and more. Many who now march under the banner of Christianity are sadly trying to keep in step with the fashions of the world rather that the truth of the gospel. They think its 'social justice' (in all it's various forms) that the world needs to hear. Paul firmly believed that it's the gospel that is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes - first the Jew, then the Gentile. For it's only in the gospel that the righteousness of God is made known - a righteousness that is by faith from start to finish. (Romans 1:16-17)