Wednesday, May 1, 2013

So, what is it going to be?

S-Galatians 2:14-15

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-Praise God for your freedom. Freedom from death.

L-So, What is It Peter?

  "When I saw that they were not following the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter in front of all the others, 'Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you trying to make these Gentiles obey the Jewish laws you abandoned? You and I are Jews by birth, not 'sinners' like the Gentiles." Galatians 2:14-15

This is how the Lord broke it down for me.

-"What is it going to be Peter? Who are you, because right now you are trying to play both sides."

                -"Yes, Peter you are a Jew by birth, but you have discarded the Jewish laws and have been living like a Gentile, and now all of a sudden, some Jewish friends of James' shows up and you get scared of what they will think if they see you eating with the Gentiles. Not only did you ignore the Gentiles after that, but you began to force the Jewish laws, that you abandoned, upon them. Why Peter? Why are you doing this? You have set a horrible example that has now led others to do the same thing. But worse Peter, they are not following the truth of the Good News."

                   Brethren, can you relate to Peter? Have you found yourself trying to play both sides?

Do you live a different life Monday through Saturday, but are someone completely different on Sunday's? Are you aware that people are watching you?

What is it going to be, the World or Christ?

Maybe you are in a similar situation as Paul was, and there is someone you need to confront as Paul did. If so, would you spend time in prayer and the Word before you approach them. In doing this it will give the Lord time to reveal to you if your motives are pure, if you are acting on flesh, if your discernment is accurate or based off of mere opinion.

Once you have spent adequate time in prayer and in His Word, He will set up the appropriate time for you to confront them (and them alone, not the whole world) and He will even give you the words.

Let's be mindful of our actions and the choices we make. Most of all, let's continue to go deeper in the Word and learn from God's Word and the life of those He spoke through.

S-Share your heart with God and let Him reveal it's true character and desire.