Get The Point!

Galatians 2:11-21

Paul Opposes Peter

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?

15 "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' 16 know that a man is not justified by observing 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 observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

17 "If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. 19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

Bee's Thoughts:

Often we hear complains that some Christians behave just like non-Christians or even worse. Just like my previous boss, who claimed to be a Pastor, was more unscrupulous in his business dealings and with his employees than any non-Christians bosses I had before. It brought shame to Christ because of such people. I heard that recently he had to close some of his businesses because of debts. People who do such things will never escape the consequences of their wrong doings.

Yes, Christians are to live by faith; they are judged by faith in Christ, not by the law (do this or do that). Yet Jesus said "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them." (Matthew 7:15.16) A good tree will bear good fruits; a rotten tree will bear rotten fruits. Therefore, a person who behaves like the devil, we will know who his 'father' is. So when a person claims to be a Christian, we shouldn't just believe but to look for his 'fruits' of Christ-likeness.

All things said, there are Christians who are weak because they are new, or because they don't read the bible and remain as babes in Christ for many years. Yet even if they do read the bible and are growing spiritually, it's still a process of growth, and there might be many truths they have not learnt yet, like in the above case of Peter (v14 & 15). The difference for a growing Christian is the attitude of willingness to learn and change.

It took so many trials in life for Paul to come to a stage of full surrender to Christ where he proclaimed, ” I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (v20). I understand the meaning of this verse better now after my brush with death... "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me". I am ready to go anytime I feel... perhaps what holds me back is the salvation of people I know?


Dear Lord,
Why didn't I go and meet You yesterday? I always long to see Your face... to see the only One who loves me so much. What is it that You want me to do before I can meet You? To share Your gospel to those who do not know You? Let me live for You then. Let me share Your love around. Amen.