Do you ever feel that your public actions and statements are ‘out of step’ with your Christian beliefs? Perhaps you have even been rightly accused of being a hypocrite. The truth can hurt and leave us feeling shamed and impotent in our Christian witness. This Sunday’s text (Galatians 2:11-14) will put you in good company with Peter, and I trust, give you encouragement and hope to live in step with the gospel.

Recently, we have been blessed by the attention given to some of the key doctrines emphasized during the reformation: the five solas (scripture alone, Christ alone, faith alone, grace alone, all to the glory of God alone). Knowing that our justification and sanctification before our perfect, holy God is by grace, through faith, and in Christ alone is wonderfully liberating, but this has always left some wondering if this means their actions and choices are of no importance. The Scriptures always affirm that godly devotion is an expected fruit of true faith. In this Sunday’s text Paul confronts Peter when Peter’s actions lead to a number of Galatian Christians being “out of step with the truth of the gospel (verse 14).” Our actions are important as they reflect either understanding (or misunderstanding) of truth, and will influence others. Earlier in the same chapter Paul writes that he resolutely opposed the circumcision of the Greek convert Titus, yielding not “even for a moment”, “so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. (Gal 2:5)” In Peter’s case, when he came to Antioch he found Jewish and Gentile believers fellowshipping and dining together, and was happy to join in. This was a remarkable turnaround for Peter who had been told by God not to consider any person “unclean”, opening the door in Peter’s understanding of God’s intentions to bring the gospel to all people in every nation (see Acts 10). Unfortunately, Peter’s obedience was short-lived. Certain other men were pressing upon the congregation to follow Jewish law obligations and Peter, fearing them rather than God, withdrew his fellowship from the Gentiles. Paul was incensed and publicly confronted Peter in striking terms, condemning him and calling him a hypocrite. The word hypocrite comes from a Greek word for an actor who puts on a mask to play a role in a performance. The implication was that a hypocrite is one who masks their true convictions and plays a part that is not really theirs. So, fearing man rather than God, Peter played the hypocrite and not only masked his true convictions but led others to do likewise. Paul says his actions were “out of step” with the truth of the gospel. Literally, it meant he didn’t walk with straight feet; his path was crooked. All of us will veer off course when we don’t look straight ahead.

So how do we walk more faithfully, day by day, in step with our gospel convictions? As Christians, when we don’t fix our eyes straight upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, we will veer toward people pleasing and distraction. Rooting our acceptance, satisfaction, trust, and hope in Christ and his gospel is the only way to keep our path straight and “in step”.

 

Much love,

Pastor Gary

 

 

 

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