Galatians 2:11-21 ~ I do not nullify the grace of God

Galatians 2:11-21

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.^{[fearing those of the circumcision]} 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?”

15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified ^{[or counted as righteousness, three times in verse 16]}  by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness^{[or justification]} were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Even in the last chapter in John's Gospel, the disciples are not completely unified. We are all in different stages of life, with different viewpoints stemming from self-interest and the gifts GOD has given us.

1 Peter 4:10
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

1 Corinthians 4:1 
So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.

1 Peter 5:12
With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.


Paul wrote concerning this dilemna:

1 Corinthians 9:20-23
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 

 Peter wrote:

1 Peter 4:8-11
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹  Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰  As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: ¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 It was a time of controversy. What distinguishes this from a lot of opportunities for growth - both Peter and Paul were seeking to glorify God.  And as they realized, Paul, the complete and total Jew educated at the feet of Gamaliel, had a heart for the gentiles - people who did not know the one, living God. And Peter, a wealthy fisherman, from Capernaum, loved the Jews seeking to know more about Jesus.  They split their gifts and parted, going forth to use the best of their abilities to serve God. 

The Grace of God, going forth for 2,000 years to build the Body of Jesus Christ. 

Each day, Father God, remind us in ways we see and understand, we love a Living God and seek to use the gift of life given to us, to further give thanks for the blessings He gives us. To You, Father God, be the glory and honor. The joy of being the unique person You have created us to be, using our talents to the Glory of God, in Jesus Christ the LORD. Amen.


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