
Are You Rebuilding What Jesus Destroyed?
I once read that we do not want to live on a spiritual welfare system, we want to earn our salvation. The book of Galatians is a beautiful reminder that the law could never accomplish, our works could never accomplish, what Christ did by love and grace on the cross. Today’s post comes to us from Stephanie at Read Cook Devour. Her beautiful insights into the words of Paul in Galatians hit me so deeply. I hope you enjoy this exhortation as much as I did.
Have you been there? Sunday morning. Socializing with your usual church friends, watching the kids buzz around like caffeinated bees, and in your peripheral vision you notice that person. Your posture shifts, you avert your focus, you busy yourself so as not to seem available. It might be a guest, or it might be someone you know about from conversations with others, someone you have decided you just aren’t comfortable interacting with. If you were asked to voice the reason for that decision though, the words would not come easily, and the excuses you might spout would sting of guilt more than they would exonerate.
The rather awkward relational situation I just described is sadly one I have owned on more than one occasion. What I have often deemed a “social preference,” at its root, is an imposed prerequisite for fellowship. All the excuses in the world cannot masque the arrogance of such a standard.
In my recent study of Galatians, I was challenged by the account of Peter, who erred in such a way that Paul confronts him publicly, “in front of everyone” (Gal 2:14). If anything would give me cause for pause as I read through an epistle, it is the rare and unlikely words: “I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned” (Gal 2:11). A little bit of background story will shed some light on the details of the situation Paul is referencing. Since disagreement amongst the apostles is so rarely recorded, I wanted to fully understand the incident, and take from it the lesson it was meant to teach.
The opposition Paul speaks of is toward Peter (a.k.a. Cephas). Peter is a Jew by birth. Jews adhered to strict laws regarding food. This all changed significantly after Christ died. In Acts, Peter has a vision from the Lord (3 times!), where he is presented with all the animals that were considered unclean and the Lord tells him “Get up, Peter; kill and eat!….What God has made clean, you must not call common” (Acts 10:13, 15). This was the turning point in Peter’s understanding that Jewish law no longer had a hold on him. Salvation came through faith and not through performance or outward rituals. So Peter (and many other believing Jews) now broke bread and fellowshipped with Gentile believers, understanding that they each arrived at salvation not by their rituals (or lack thereof), but by faith.
So what exactly did the apostle do that put him “in the wrong”? Peter retracted his association with the Gentiles when new Jewish believers arrived. Peter, “regularly ate with the Gentiles before certain men came from James. However, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party” (Gal 2:12). Peter withdrew from fellowship with the Gentile brothers and also influenced “the rest of the Jews…[and] even Barnabas” to join him (Gal 2:13). Functionally, Peter is projecting the old standard (the law), onto these Gentile believers who will never measure up!
Paul calls Peter out: “know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ…If I rebuild the system I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker…if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing” (Gal 2:16,18,21). Once a devout Jew himself, Paul knew better than most that the law only brought condemnation and exclusion. Peter had compromised the unity of Christian fellowship by falling back on the old standard of righteousness and acceptance before God, resulting in the alienation of believers. Christ died to abolish the law and the separation it created!
Traditions, food choices, nationality—none of those things matter any longer. We have been unified as believers in a common Savior. Ephesians 2:11 states, “remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called ‘the uncircumcised’ by those called ‘the circumcised,’… you were without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah. For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In His flesh, He made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that He might create in Himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace.” Peace! Two groups becoming one. Walls demolished. I’m sure little grieves God more than to witness segregation amongst the people he sacrificed His only Son to bring together as His own.
In what ways are we erecting exclusionary walls like Peter did? When someone walks through those doors who does not fit our notion of what Christianity looks like, do we apply the old standards Christ died to abolish? Maybe it’s tattoos or denomination, economic status or intellectual capacity, family background or political affiliation. What projected expectations for salvation have led you to slight brothers and sisters in Christ? When has fear of other’s opinions dictated your hospitality? I think with regret about the missed opportunities for Christian fellowship that have occurred due to my arrogance and hypocrisy. Christ Jesus supped with me—gave his body and blood for me— the most unworthy, unqualified person at His table. Who am I to create a standard by which to judge others, which Jesus himself did not use to judge me?
The body of Christ, the church, cannot function as it was intended if we are cutting certain parts off and pronouncing them unqualified. I pray that we take a lesson from Peter; that expectations would be shattered and haughty hearts humbled as we embrace the beautiful, leveling hand of the Gospel. Regardless of our differences, we are united in our desperate need for a Savior. In Him, we “have access by one Spirit to the Father” and “are being built together for God’s dwelling” (Eph 2:18, 22). I am hopeful that the Spirit, who unites us, will cause new hands to shake and new doors to open— that Gospel love would adorn the table and allow true community to begin.
Stephanie is a food lover, wife and mother of two. In between laundry and dishes she seizes moments when the kitchen is clean to cook or bake another mess. She enjoys a glass of wine, but could probably be talked into ice cream instead. Stephanie writes for Read Cook Devour where she shares reliable recipes, tips on frugal and efficient living and encouragement she finds in Scripture. She loves company and hopes you’ll visit her cozy corner of the web!
The Comments
Are You Rebuilding What Jesus Destroyed? » Read Cook Devour
[…] I have the privilege of guest posting on The Thin Place. After you read my thoughts on Galatians, stay and read some of the wonderful, soul-enriching words Bailey has to share. I was so encouraged […]
Angela Sackett
Wow – this is SO. GOOD. and SO. CONVICTING. Sharing for my readers on Facebook.
Stephanie Smith
Angela SackettThanks so much for sharing Angela ♡
Bailey
Angela SackettAngela, I’m so glad it hit your heart as deeply as it hit mine. Thank you for sharing.
Jen E
Wow, this is so convicting. This challenge is has me reflecting on myself to figure out what it is that makes me play that “avert my eyes” game. I think we can get stuck doing this, because it’s something that can come so naturally. We build up walls to protect ourselves, but it’s so right that Jesus came to tear down those walls. Thank you for sharing this.
Stephanie Smith
Jen EThanks for reading Jen! It is so convicting, isn’t it? It is something I need to remind myself of weekly.
Bailey
Jen EWe do it so often without recognizing that Christ died so that we could let go of these false securities, root ourselves in Him, and love one another.
Amanda
This was good. Really makes you think and question. Thank you.
Stephanie Smith
AmandaThank you Amanda! 🙂
Bailey
AmandaIt struck my heart deeply as well.
dre
This is beyond wonderful this is really amazing no doubt
Bailey
dreThank you, Dre.
Tee
I love such posts – there aren’t many of this kind. You’ve just reminded me, “We have been unified as believers in a common Savior”. We seem to forget that sometimes! Great job.
Bailey
TeeWe have been unified, indeed! I pray that we all have the strength and wisdom to live out that unity in our churches.
Mica
This is a great post! I think it’s easy to forget how our actions can build walls – we can’t all be as perfect as Jesus but we can try to tear walls down and not add to them as much as possible!
Bailey
MicaMica, I think you’re spot on! It’s so easy for us to try and build up pharisaical rules to make ourselves feel better than others and more deserving of salvation. Jesus tore all of that down and put us on a level playing field.
Celeste
This is such an important message. Thanks for sharing with us today. 🙂
Bailey
CelesteThank you, Celeste.
LeNae
This is so powerful and so true! Recently, my great-uncle and his girlfriend, who is living with him, went to a church in their home town and were told that they couldn’t come back until they were married or not living together! I was shocked and so saddened, Jesus said others would know Him by how we love each other.
Bailey
LeNaeLeNae, That is so sad to see that they felt excluded. Paul makes it clear that we are to *gently* restore those in sin.
Stephanie Smith
BaileyLeNae, that is sad. I think Bailey said it perfectly. How can we expect sinners to see God and turn from sin if we do not first welcome them in, to experience the joy and life of true community in Jesus?
Sarah
Loved this! I was just reading in 1 Corinthians about how there is not supposed to be division within the body of Christ. I think your post explains just that!
Bailey
SarahThere is not. I wish the modern church placed more emphasis on unity.
Kristin Cook
I love this idea of making sure we don’t build up walls in the church. Anyone is welcome to come to the Lord, and if Jesus doesn’t have an attitude towards anyone, why should we. Does that mean we ignore sin? Absolutely not! We confront it. But disliking others for petty reasons (or even important ones) should never keep us from loving on them!
Stephanie Smith
Kristin CookAmen Kristin! That truth is so challenging to my pride.
Bailey
Kristin CookExactly! We shouldn’t be ignoring sin but we also should be making up our own rules and adding to what Christ did. We don’t need Jesus + a happy marriage, no tattoos, perfect homes, good clothes, etc. We simply need Jesus.
Ashley Spang
Thank you. This has been my heart cry, but you put it together much better than I have been. Christ fellowshipped with everyone, it’s something we tend to value in our faith, but when it comes down to us doing it, it’s more comfortable not to. Right now, our world really needs to see a united front of grace, that only we can convey. We just have to remember the stripped down basics of…I love your words…Gospel love.
Stephanie Smith
Ashley SpangThank you so much Ashley!