A Bold Move. Galatians 2:14-16.
Dear Family,
We continue with Paul’s challenge to Peter’s hypocrisy. Paul has observed the impact Peter’s behavior has had on other Christians, including Barnabas.
We often feel that we should live and let live, that another person’s life is his to live as he chooses. Why should we make enemies by challenging people’s behavior? “Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27:5-6). Be a friend, bite the bullet.
The Error (v. 14a). The problem with Peter’s behavior was that he knew better. Paul says Peter was “not being straightforward about the truth of the gospel,” meaning that Peter knew the truth but chose to behave like one who did not know. Sometimes our problem is not ignorance but fear of the consequences of doing what is right. We hide under the guise of ignorance because we do not want to face the disapproval and criticism of men. But like Peter, we just dent our image.
The Engagement (v. 14b). Paul chose to confront the issue directly. It was not an easy choice to make, because we need to be wise and avoid embarrassing others in public. At the same time, we have to deal with sins and mistakes committed in public and which have the effect of misleading and causing others to stumble. It is a balancing act that is achieved when love is the main reason for our confrontation and not simply indignation and the desire to teach the person in error a lesson they will never forget. Always confront in love.
In his challenge, Paul strikes at the heart of the matter and questions why Peter would want the gentiles to adopt the Jewish way that he himself had abandoned.
The Explanation (vv. 15-16). Here Paul explains that the believing Jews had come to the conclusion that obeying the law could not save, so they had chosen faith in Jesus Christ, which alone could justify.
The problem of the law is twofold:1. It is impossible to keep all of it perfectly, so at some point, one fails. No matter how small the failure, it makes one a lawbreaker. 2. No amount of obedience to the law can remove the guilt of the violation of a command. One remains guilty, no matter how hard one works at it. This is why it is futile to try and earn justification through keeping the law.
But Jesus already kept the law perfectly for us and then paid with his life the penalty that we were required to pay. All we need to be justified is to accept the fact that that he died in our place and put our faith in him and in his righteousness. This is what gentiles need. It is what Jews need. No exceptions.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.