Tuesday 11 June, 2013
Galatians 2:11-14
11 When Peter came to Antioch, I told him to his face that I was against what he was doing. He was clearly wrong. 12 He used to eat with those who weren’t Jews. But certain men came from the group that was led by James. When they arrived, Peter began to draw back. He separated himself from the non-Jews. He was afraid of the circumcision group. 13 Peter’s actions were not honest. The other Jews joined him. Even Barnabas was led down the wrong path. 14 I saw what they were doing. It was not in line with the truth of the good news. So I spoke to Peter in front of them all. “You are a Jew,” I said. “But you live like one who is not. So why do you force non-Jews to follow Jewish ways?
This is a great example of how we should live a true Christian life all the time. Paul is being true to his belief and leading no matter who he is with. The challenge for us is to be bold and share the true message just as Paul is doing.
Act 11 shows Peter boldly explaining to the Jews his reasons for eating with non Jews according to the vision God gave him. God said ‘do not call anything impure that God has made clean’. (Acts 11:9)
Here Peter is caving in to peer pressure. We need to be careful not to do this but to keep true to the Gospel all the time and evaluate what we are being taught in the light of that.
Dear God always show me the truth and don’t allow me to be swayed by popular teachings and peer pressure. Show me your wisdom through the Holly Spirit. Amen.