In all aspects of our lives, consistency is of great importance. To live a healthier life, we must be consistent with our diet and exercise. If we want better relationships with those closest to us, we must be consistent in developing those relationships. The same is true in matters of faith. If we desire a stronger faith, we must remain consistent in our beliefs.
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In all aspects of our lives, consistency is of great importance. To live a healthier life, we must be consistent with our diet and exercise. If we want better relationships with those closest to us, we must be consistent in developing those relationships. The same is true in matters of faith. If we desire a stronger faith, we must remain consistent in our beliefs.
Today’s passage, Galatians 2.11-21, touches on the consequences of inconsistency and the confrontation that may be necessary to correct any waywardness to the gospel message. Paul writes…
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When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For 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.
When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas 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?
“We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of 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 the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
“But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.
“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, 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 could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
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Let’s take a look at what was happening in this passage…
Peter, who had previously eaten with Gentile believers while in Antioch, withdrew from them when some Jewish Christians arrived. This act of separation implied that Gentile believers were somehow inferior, that following Jewish customs was still necessary for salvation. Paul calls this hypocrisy.
Because of Peter’s actions, Paul confronts him for his inconsistent behavior. He didn’t hesitate to challenge even a leading apostle when the truth of the Gospel was at stake. Remember, Peter was one of the inner circle with Jesus during Jesus’ ministry. When we read the scriptures, we often read about Peter, James, and John as Jesus’ closest disciples.
When Paul confronted Peter, it wasn’t a private disagreement either, but a public confrontation. This confrontation highlights a crucial point: the Gospel is not just a set of doctrines or laws to be followed. It is a way of life.
It’s not enough to mentally accept the gospel as the truth; we must live it out consistently. Peter’s actions suggested that the law was still binding for salvation, a direct contradiction to the Gospel. Paul’s rebuke stresses the essential truth that salvation is entirely a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ.
At the heart of the disagreement was the doctrine of justification. A simple definition of justification would be the understanding that through faith in Jesus, we become “just as if” we had never sinned. The slate is wiped cleaned. We are no longer slaves to our sins. Paul argues this truth by saying that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, not by works of the law.
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Because of this salvation by grace, a few things to consider about our spiritual walk…
1. The Danger of Legalism
Peter’s actions represented a slide back into legalism, the belief that salvation can be earned through human effort or adherence to religious laws.
We must be careful to keep legalism at bay. It is easy for us to get to the place where we place expectations on followers of Christ that are not necessary. Many expect outward actions or changes as proof of salvation. However, our change begins in the heart and may take years to be seen by outward appearances.
The issue with legalism is that many, like Peter, look at themselves as being superior because of their works, their adherence to rules and regulations. This view often leads to the belief that certain “works” must be done if someone is truly saved. The truth of salvation, however, is only found in…
2. The Sufficiency of Christ
Paul emphasizes that if righteousness could be obtained through the law, then Christ’s death was unnecessary. The cross becomes meaningless if we can earn our salvation. If we can fulfill every aspect of the law of God, then there is no need for Christ. The law was given to reveal sin. Forgiveness of these sins can only be found in Christ.
Paul shares his personal testimony by saying, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” This speaks to the radical transformation that occurs when we truly embrace the Gospel.
Paul was a man that knew the scriptures, the law, yet he tried to destroy the work of Christ. Once Jesus got ahold of him, his life drastically changed. He came to the realization of what Jesus had done for Him, that he no longer lived, but Christ lived in him.
This is the same truth for us today. We no longer live, but Christ lives in and through us if we will let Him. This happens when we realize…
3. The Importance of Living by Faith
The life Paul now lives, he lives “by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” This highlights the centrality of faith in the Christian life. It is about doing God’s will through Christ. We cannot accomplish anything on our own. Only in and through Christ can we live out the spiritual, Christian life. Are we living by faith and trusting in…
4. The power of the Grace of God
Paul refuses to “nullify the grace of God.” He understands that salvation is entirely a gift, and any attempt to earn it through works is a rejection of God’s grace. What a profound thought. God’s grace is a gift. We cannot earn it. Any time our spiritual lives become based on what we do, we are rejecting the grace of God.
Granted, if we are living in God’s grace, then there will be acts of love done for Him. James attests to this when he writes, “But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds” – James 2.18.
Even so, salvation is by grace through faith. The works will come as we live out our faith in Him. That is why we must consider…
5. The Importance of Consistency
This passage emphasizes the importance of living consistently with the Gospel we profess. Our actions should align with our beliefs. We must also remember that even apostles, and the religious leaders of today, are human and can be wrong.
There may be times when leaders do or say things that go against the gospel of grace, expecting others to follow their lead. Ultimately, though, the truth of the Gospel is the highest authority, not an individual’s expectations of others. Paul’s challenge to Peter shows this and reminds us of the importance of being consistent in our walk of faith.
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With that being said, here are a few questions we sh0uld ask ourselves when it comes to the gospel of grace…
Do we truly believe that salvation is by grace alone?
Do our actions reflect this belief?
Are we clinging to any form of legalism or self-righteousness?
Is there any personal confrontation of inconsistency needed in our own walk with the Lord?
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