Topic: Stand for what you believe
Bile Reading: Isaiah 1-3; Galatians 2
Memory verse: “But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? “ Galatians 2:14 (KJV)
There was a time Jesus was criticized by the Pharisees for dining with tax collectors and sinners, his response was, “…Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” Mark 2:16 (NKJV). The Lord Jesus was clear on the path He had chosen. Peter was one of those who was with Him at the table. He must have learnt from Jesus about faith in God. Now as a leader in the church Peter was in a situation of sorts, but this time between Jewish believers and Gentile believers.
The most important thing in our walk with God is our faith in God which must be complimented by our works. The Bible tells us, “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:20 (KJV). Peter undeniably had faith in God but his decision to withdraw from the Gentiles when he saw the believers of the circumcision coming from James, did not go down well with Paul. This was seen as hypocrisy.
No one is above mistake; not even a leader in the person of Peter. Paul rightly stood him up and said, “But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?” Galatians 2:14 (KJV). Our actions, especially as Christians may cause other believers to stumble. Hence, we must stand for what we believe regardless of where we are and who is there.
Peter took correction from this brotherly rebuke and the church moved on. Let us endeavour to also be mild in our tone yet firm in our brotherly rebuke when we notice a brother erring. This is what the church of God should continue to be as shown by the early apostles.
Prayer: Dear Father, I receive grace today to stand for what I believe in line with the revelation of your word irrespective of who’s in the audience.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu