Freedom-Week 3

In Galatians chapter 2, Paul continues his testimony. In today’s passage (2:1-14) we see four things that Paul wants the Galatian Church (and us) to consider as we look at our lives and the way that we live.

1. Make Sure
2. Stand Strong
3. Accept Confirmation
4. Oppose Error

Let’s look at these four things a bit more detail:
1. Make Sure
Paul wanted to be sure that the Gospel he was proclaiming lined up with what the rest of the church was teaching. Remember he had already been confirmed by Peter and James, but after 14 years of preaching, God gives him a revelation. And so he goes back to Jerusalem to lay his Gospel before the church, and they accept him.
In the same way, we need make sure that the life we are leading confirms the Gospel’s message. We do this through living it out, allowing others to watch and speak into our lives, and listening and watching other brothers and sisters who are living out the Christian life with purpose and grace.

2. Stand Strong
When confronted with a non-Jewish member of their group not being circumcised, they did not even consider having him circumcised because that would have put a burden on the Gospel that Paul had been preaching, let alone that God didn’t require it.
Sometime in life, people try to add burdens to our faith that were never meant to be there. We are free in Christ and as a result, there is no need to add ANYTHING to our salvation. Our faith is enough for grace to do its work in us.

3. Accept Confirmation
So, after careful consideration by the church, Paul’s Gospel is confirmed. He is given the “right hand of fellowship” and accepted as an apostle to the Gentiles. Paul is excited to have this official and shortly after sets out on another missionary journey.
When others confirm our gifting, our our message, or our way of life, it is exciting. We need to accept that as a sign from the Lord to keep going and live our lives to the fullest measure for the Kingdom of God and the Gospel.

4. Oppose Error
Shortly after all of this, Peter came to Antioch (Paul’s base of operations). While there, he fellowshipped freely with Gentiles who were from the region. But when other Jews from Jerusalem showed up, he began to distance himself from these same Gentiles. Paul wasn’t going to stand for it, because his actions were nullifying the message of his Gospel, basically telling people that Gentiles and Jews were not able to fellowship together. And Paul spoke up in Peter’s face and in public so that everyone would know that this was not God’s plan.
Sometimes we need to speak up when we see people living in sin. I’m not suggesting that we always do it in public, but if the situation calls for it (namely, a church leader is doing something in public that brings shame on the Gospel), then we need to speak quickly, boldly, and publicly.

Freedom in Christ means that we must Make Sure that our message is right, Stand Strong in the face of opposition, Accept Confirmation when it is given, and Oppose Error when it is exposed.