Episode 21

In Galatians we’re told Paul not only “withstood Peter” for “withdrawing and separating himself” from a group of Gentile Christians when Jewish “men came from Jerusalem,” but he was upset Peter was also seeking to “compel Gentiles to live as Jews!”

Paul’s issue wasn’t these Gentiles or Peter enjoying liberty around Jewish brothers who might be offended! Instead, he’s upset Peter was not only being hypocritical concerning his own liberty, but was now activity trying to limit the liberties of others!

Why would Peter do this? Paul says, “He was afraid.” While there’s no question Peter knew grace afforded liberty for all Christians, he also knew there was a group of Jewish men from his home church who would be offended.

Peter feared enjoying liberty would cause a division with those who took offense to such liberties! So, in order to avoid division, he decides it would be best that these Gentiles along with himself lay aside their freedom for the sake of maintaining unity.

And while you can understand why Peter took this approach, Paul still looses it because he knew any restricting of liberty was “not being straightforward about the truth of the gospel!”

Tragically, the fundamental driver behind the trap of legalism is never a failure to believe the Gospel, but a failure to fully trust in the Gospel! At its core, Peter’s error occurred when fear of what could happen caused him to take his eyes off of Jesus!

You see while fear reverts back to the natural comforts of the law, the liberty of grace holds fast to one solid thing… Faith in Jesus! Friend, reject fear knowing grace really does change everything.