Life Project Blog

 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.

Galatians 2:11-13

Oh, my!  What a text, quite unique in the New Testament, for this one text gives us a view into the interaction among the Apostles, a view that shows one apostle (Paul) bringing another Apostle (Peter) up short in front of witnesses.  This may dispel the notions of some that everything in the early church was wonderful and harmonious, it wasn’t, and it also shows us a much deeper view that I would call “covenant priorities.”

Imagine Peter in harmony with and among the Gentiles, and then drawing away from them when a high-level group of Jewish Christians come from Jerusalem.  Remember that under the Law of Moses, Jews did not eat with Gentiles, so in front of these Jewish brothers, Peter now treats Gentile brothers as mere Gentiles with all of the disdain of the Law, with the result that the New Covenant is not given priority over the Old… 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?

Galatians 2:14

The confrontation begins; Paul threw down the gauntlet in verse 14. You don’t live like a Jew, and then when your Jewish friends come by, you revert to Jewish customs wanting to force Gentiles to follow them too.  In the New Covenant, those “customs” are over.

“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.

Galatians 2:15-16

Consider this statement of Paul’s for a moment: He is making the assertion that the New Covenant is superior to the Old Covenant.  Even a Jew must be justified by faith in Christ, for the Old Covenant could never bring about forgiveness of sins. Under the old system, being born a Jew meant that you had been born as one of God’s chosen… the dirty nasty Gentiles were the sinners, the Jew was God’s own, but the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ had changed the entire dynamic of relations between Man and God.

 “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.

Galatians 2:17-18

Anticipating an obvious question, Paul provides the answer.  For most of us, this question and answer might be a bit of a puzzle, so let’s look more closely.  When Paul said “…we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners…” he means that if a Jew goes from God’s chosen to being just another saved sinner by their faith in Christ.  Thus, clearly this whole concept of the New vs. the Old Covenant was earth-shattering for the Jewish psyche of the time.  The very idea of equality with Gentile dogs was unthinkable for them; it ran against everything they had ever been taught or believed. Even now, it surprises not only Jews, but also many Christians, who still seek to hold onto certain aspects of the Law of Moses.  Paul, being the most educated of the Apostles was able to grasp the one fact that most others, then and now miss… There is no concept of eternal life in the Old Covenant. It isn’t mentioned, it isn’t promised. Forgiveness and justification are also not present, for the Law could only promise atonement; never forgiveness or justification.  These require that sin be entirely “taken away” and atonement neither does that, nor does it promise that.  Therefore, Pau makes his answer:  If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker. In other words, if he were to rebuild the Old Covenant Law, after having torn it down in favor of New Covenant justification, he would be a serious lawbreaker indeed.

“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!

Galatians 2:19-21

And with these memorable and often quoted words, Paul closes his case… and his story.  Christ’s death on the cross was the fulfillment of the Law, and we also, by our faith in Christ died with Him on the cross. We are dead to sin, dead to the Law and alive in Christ, by the power of His resurrection from the dead. Never again will we place our trust in our ability to follow the law or the old traditions, for if they could save anybody, then Jesus died for nothing. We know from Peter’s letters, that this made an impression on him, and in chapter 3, we will see how Paul uses this story to teach the Galatians.

Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.

Galatians 2:1-5

Paul continues with his story, a story of his own Christian experience that he is sharing with the Galatians so that they will understand that those who were among them at the time teaching that a Gentile must become a Jew and be circumcised, before they can receive Christ, were wrong.  In this little chunk of his text, Paul recounts his visit to Jerusalem to consult with the other Apostles on this very subject.  Quite clearly, they all understood that the only way to salvation, for either Jew or Gentile, was faith in Jesus Christ. Circumcision was useless in matters pertaining to salvation, and was not to be taught.  There is an even larger principle in play here, and that is that we cannot add anything to the gospel. Thus, when people today want to add to the gospel, whatever they are pushing is invalid.  Salvation is by faith alone.

As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

Galatians 2:6-10

This is a really interesting little paragraph. Paul is really driving home the point that the leaders in Jerusalem were having no part in this business of requiring Gentiles to become Jews to receive Christ.  It is conjecture on my part, for the text doesn’t actually say it, but it appears to me that the false teachers among the Galatians must have been claiming that they had been sent from Jerusalem to teach “correctly.” This would certainly explain why Paul opened his letter without the usual formalities, and went directly to a condemnation of the false teachers.

This also brings up another interesting point for us to ponder. When is it OK for us to condemn someone?  In Peter’s letters, he did not advocate condemnation being heaped upon those who opposed the truth…

Recall that Peter was talking about those who denied the truth, and brought ridiculous accusations and ridicule against the truth.  They were non-believers. Yet here, Paul is dealing with false teachers who were perverting the Gospel of Jesus Christ: See the difference? Those who scoff at the gospel are different from those who pervert it, for a scoffer is easy to recognize, and one can simply consider the source and disregard their rantings.  A false teacher, on the other hand, can cause tremendous damage not only to an individual believer, but the entire Body of Christ. These guys are supposed to be followers of Christ, the scoffing unbeliever just doesn’t understand… yet.  That is a huge difference!

Finally, note also that Paul didn’t just open fire at the false teachers; he went all the way to Jerusalem, not by catching a quick flight, to make absolutely certain of his position before condemning anyone. If Paul had to be certain, I would suggest that might go double for you and I, and I’m confident that you’d agree.

Galatians 1:11-24

Here in the second part of Galatians 1, Paul shares his personal story, and in doing so, I see a twofold purpose. First, he wants to make it clear to the Galatians that he is a reliable teacher; that he knows what he is talking about.  Second, he is weaving his personal testimony into the letter as a means of adding persuasive impact to his point about the false teaching they have embraced, so that they might be edified and lifted up in their Christian walk, and I hope you will pay special attention to that as his story continues into the next chapter.

Notice how he begins his testimony by pointing out that the Gospel he preached to them was not made up by any man, but that it was revealed directly to him by none other than Jesus Christ Himself.  He goes on to remind them of the fact that he was a Jew among Jews, a Pharisee further advanced than his age would normally allow, and that he wanted nothing more than to advance the traditions of Judaism. He sought to do this by persecuting most fervently the church, and was well-known for his efforts as he moved beyond Judea in pursuit of Christians to torment. Then, he recounts his experiences after his encounter with Christ on that famous road trip.

Finally, he sets the stage for his discussion of the interaction between Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ in the next chapter by reminding them of how everyone celebrated his conversion and praised God for it.

Here’s what I’d like for all of us to consider: We all have a story, even though it probably isn’t a well-known one.  How can we help others by sharing our story with them? You know, there isn’t anything quite as potent as a personal testimony, an experience, a personal recollection, when helping someone else with their walk.  Often, just the fact that you have encountered a similar challenge and gotten through it will inspire someone to keep trying.  You might be talking with a person who is struggling to understand, and when you share your experience at a similar stage in your growth it will really resonate with them.

If you are speaking with a non-Christian who is searching for truth, you will most likely have something to share about your experience in a similar position.  Understand that when we share our story, we are not the “hero” of the story: Jesus is.  Frank admission of how far we might have once strayed is powerful, and you will note that Paul didn’t hesitate to share this.

Can you see how honestly sharing from our hearts about our own experiences with others can help their journey?  Good. Can you see how this differs from making speeches or some kind of canned presentation? Can you see how much more powerful this is?

I must admit that this is my very favorite chapter of Peter’s… it’s awesome!  It clearly and directly tells us what the point of everything else is.  Why did he go on in chapter 2 about false teachers: Why the big build up?  Where is all of this really headed?  Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s find out!

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.  I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

2 Peter 3:1-2

Here’s the set up; he wants to encourage us to wholesome thoughts, reminding us of the teachings of the prophets and of the Lord, given through the Apostles.  In the last chapter, Peter spoke as a prophet bringing us God’s indictment of false teachers, not for us to point accusing fingers, but for us to avoid being fooled and to remain firm in our walk with Christ.  Here he is telling us that he is trying to influence our thinking towards wholesome things… but this is the introduction, not the conclusion.

Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

2 Peter 3:3-7

As is always the case in the New Testament, the “last days” are spoken of as having come already; we are today living in the “last days” just as Peter’s readers were living in the “last days” back in the first century.  Oh, how I grow weary of the teachings of some today that things have changed, and of their bellowing that writers like Peter meant this only for us. There were these “scoffers” in Peter’s time, there are such “scoffers” now, and there have been in the centuries in between… and every generation has thought itself to be the last.  Peter then points out that God created everything in His own time, and that He has done various things throughout history at the time of His choosing… and the return of Jesus Christ will also be at the time of God’s choosing. Yes, He is coming back, yes; he is coming back to judgment… just as soon as the Father gives the word.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:8-9

God’s perception of time is much different from ours, for God is not subject to time or space.  We, who live but a short while in the body, think two thousand years is a very long time… but to God− It’s nothing.  Just think, dear friends… If Jesus came back in Peter’s day, Peter would have rejoiced… and you wouldn’t have had an opportunity to have a relationship with Jesus at all… ever.  Are we so selfish that we would deny this opportunity to unborn generations?  Relax, and be patient. Know that God has this all figured out the right way, and you will spend eternity with Him.  No amount of our time compares with the length of eternity. For now, let’s be about serving God and thinking wholesome thoughts.

This post is hard to write. The text in 2 Peter Chapter 2, doesn’t lend itself to being broken down into “bite-sized” pieces upon which to easily chew on one at a time, rather it is one big thought.  Reflecting on it bit by bit would probably cause us to stumble into the same mistakes made by preachers and commentators for centuries, and before we would finish, we’d be pointing fingers here and there and hollering about fire and brimstone; things better left to God, who has reserved all rights as to vengeance and wrath to Himself!

So, for best results, please read Chapter 2 now…

OK, welcome back, wasn’t that a scream!  There are a few verses that we ought to take a closer look at…

Verses 1-3: Peter sets up the discussion: But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. (1a) Following Peter’s remarks about the old prophets, now he points out that they also had false prophets back in the day, and we will have false teachers. He pulls no punches describing what will happen to them.

In verses 4-10, he recalls God’s judgment of angels who sinned, and then reminds his readers of the times of Noah and of Sodom and Gomorrah, and what God did about the wickedness of the people. He continues through verse 16 describing the wicked ways of false teachers, and how they all came to ruin and judgment, recalling the story of Balaam and the donkey.  This description and ruin scenario continues through verse 19, and then comes home to us:

If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”

2 Peter 2:20-22

There’s the warning we were looking for!  If we, as followers of Jesus Christ, allow ourselves to be drawn back into the old, wicked ways of this world by false teachers, we will have a serious problem with God. Please understand that the things that Peter has said about the false teachers are not so that we can be ready to heap abuse on them. He even pointed out that they heap abuse on angels, and the angels don’t return fire, even when they are there to execute God’s judgment. (verse 11) No, there is no finger-pointing, no fire and brimstone stuff, and no condemnation from any one of us.  Peter has given us this information so that we can, 1) recognize what is going on, and 2) avoid falling victim, and 3) encourage and sustain one another so that all of us can avoid falling prey. Remember that he began in chapter 1 telling us what spiritual growth looks like; there wasn’t any condemnation going on in that process, and we must bear in mind that any sort of retribution, condemnation or judging that will take place is God’s job, not ours.

In the next section, Peter will continue with his letter, and you might be amazed at the turn he takes…