Galatians 2 (#2): Consistency in Words and Actions

Verse 14: When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter 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?" 

◇ As a parent raising and disciplining children, there are times when it can be difficult. Most children, as taught in kindergarten, raise their hands while crossing the crosswalk. If you praise a child for raising their hand while crossing, they will raise their hand even higher. 

One day, my son crossed the crosswalk without raising his hand, so I asked him, "Why didn't you raise your hand? Daddy doesn't raise his hand either!" His answer was clear. He said that although I told him that I don't need to raise my hand because I am taller than him, he would not raise his hand because I don't do it either.

Paul is recounting an incident that took place in Antioch. He rebukes Peter (Cephas) for leaving the table where he was eating with the Gentiles when he heard that people from James were coming. These people from James were Christians who still could not let go of the Jewish laws. Although they believed in Jesus, they also believed that they could only be saved if they kept the law. Therefore, they insisted that the Gentiles must also be circumcised and observe the laws and festivals.

Unlike them, Peter did not force the law upon others. However, when he heard that they were coming, he sneakily left the table with the Gentiles before they arrived. Seeing this, some people followed Peter and avoided the table as well.

Paul rebukes Peter for this. Act according to what you teach! How can you tell others to live that way when you don't live that way yourself?

♧ Lord, please help us to be consistent in our words and actions, fitting for the position of a teacher who speaks a lot! Holy Spirit, lead us in truth!