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Isaiah 19:1-21:17; Galatians 2:1-16; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 23:13-14
“This issue arose because of false brothers smuggled in, who came in secretly to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. But we did not yield in submission to these people for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain for you.
But from those recognized as important (what they really were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism) – those recognized as important added nothing to me. On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter was for the circumcised. For He who was at work with Peter in the apostleship to the circumcised was also at work with me among the Gentiles. When James, Cephas, and John, recognized as pillars, acknowledged the grace that had been given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to me, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They asked only that we would remember the poor, which I made every effort to do. (Galatians 2:4-10)
However when they came, he (Cephas) withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party. Then the rest of the Jews joined his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. (2:12b-13)
We are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’; yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. (2:16)
I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.” (2:19-27)
There was a continuous fight between those old school people that wanted to mix the law with grace. Paul adamantly opposed them at every turn. There will always be a religious bunch that will want to strap you with some sort of additive to the gospel. Most of the time it is done out of a spirit of control. These people want to dominate you with fear. Sometimes it’s by well-meaning folks who are afraid to trust a convert’s salvation and growth to the Lord. We have to recognize this in others and in ourselves. I’m not talking about teaching people that they can do any ol’ thing thinking it is okay; I’m just saying that we want to be careful not to take away from the work of Jesus or give place to hypocrisy. We are saved and we stand by Christ’s sacrifice and power, period.
We must entrust people to God. Our job is to share the truth, teach them the Word, guide them along the way and bring correction, when necessary, but beyond that, it is God who brings about conviction and growth. Sometimes we want to slap some rules on folks because we know that certain things could possibly get them off track. Really, we need to share our concerns and show them why we feel the way we do without subjecting them to the confines of the law. It’s a fine line, but we have to trust the Holy Spirit to lead them.
If their salvation and subsequent growth isn’t a work of the Spirit, then it will become bondage. God has come to give us life and life more abundantly. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. Freedom to live, freedom to make mistakes, freedom to grow at your own pace. God loves people and desires for them to return that love, not out of fear but out of genuine, mutual care and respect.
Ministers need to respect one another as well, acknowledging that it is God who has called each of them to their particular area. Peter was called to the circumcised and Paul to the Gentiles. Each people group had to be dealt with in a particular way. Today we have conservative folks, a more demonstrative set of folks, cerebral folks, artsy folks, societal folks and there are churches to match each need. Even Jesus met with Nicodemus at night to answer his questions. (Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews) God wants all people to be saved and that requires us to meet them where they are, just like He did for us.
Main thing – never replace the grace! It cost Jesus everything.
PRAYER:
Lord, I pray for a deeper understanding of Your grace. I know that I went through a real legalistic time when I was younger and I’m grateful You brought me through. I must admit that I still see traces sometimes and I ask You to help me move beyond that. I pray to walk fully in Your grace and to have the ability to transfer that to others as well. I love You Lord and I am so grateful for Your sacrifice. You are my world, and I’ll serve You always. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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