Today’s Reading: Galatians 2
Experience is one of the best teachers. Through the process of learning and growing, we understand and gain wisdom. By undergoing different circumstances we experience. When we are attentive we can learn from every interaction and situation that we have. If we have guided experience, we grow to be a better person. If we have a difficult experience, we learn to rise above the challenges so that we can give that knowledge to others. Over the last several years, writing blogs and posts I have gained experience in Paul and his writings. In this writing, Paul is keeping it real. He is showing his experience in years and he is also showing his dedication to the mission despite what others think.
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
Paul Opposes Peter
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.[a] 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” – Galatians 2:1-14
In this chapter of Galatians, Paul is reflecting on some interactions that he had with Peter, also noticed as Cephas. Paul is telling us how long he and the apostles have known each other. From this interaction, we should see that they have known each other for almost 20 years after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.Paul also informs us that he was given the mission of spreading the gospel to the non-Jewish people, also known as Gentiles. Paul also tells that Peter was commissioned to spread the gospel to the traditional Jewish people.
One of the major themes in this particular chapter is Paul is keeping it real with everybody. Paul is showing what is most important without question. Paul establishes his credibility and he also establishes his ability to step up when the time is right and to do what is right for the good of the gospel. Paul also shows that Peter wanted to keep up appearances. Paul is asking us not to be pretentious. Paul wants us to be genuine in all of our actions. Paul shows us how to be genuine no matter who we are with or what we are doing. If the people that we are with can not understand the genuine person that we are, why are we with them? Paul wants us to be an ambassador of God‘s love to everybody despite possible interactions are unfavorable circumstances.
We all have been Peter. We all have denied Christ in our daily lives. We all have tried to be someone other than ourselves. We all have tried to play both sides. Paul is challenging us to know ourselves and at the same time be uncomfortable when it is hard.
If we are trying to show God‘s love, let us show God‘s love without conditions or fear of retribution or retaliation. If we are mentoring our ministering to someone it is okay to be seen. If we are in a midst of our own failures, it is okay to show God’s love in the midst of our failures.
This chapter really brings a realness to our daily walk. Paul challenge us to keep it real. Paul is charging us to love despite of the hurt. Paul is challenging us to remember our mission and to give God‘s love no matter what the consequences are no matter who is watching.
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