Galatians 2:11-14 (New Living Translation)
Paul Confronts Peter
11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. 12 When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. 13 As a result, other Jewish Christians followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.Wow, the implications in these three little verses are amazing. Immediately you can recognize several of them.
1 - Paul, in his devotion, was not afraid to rebuke a brother in love when damage was being done to the gospel and to others.
2 - Human nature is hard to overcome when we precieve our reputations may be at stake.
3 - We are to love those who are different regardless of what others think.
4 - When we don't act as Christians but as hypocrits, people tend to follow and we bring them down.
Legalism will get us no where. Faith is everything and true faith does not discriminate. Let's not get wrapped up in what our church friends might think if they see us hanging out with "sinners", so long as we are doing it out of love of Christ. That's our number 1 command & calling - to love!
