(Gal 2:11-13 NLT) But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish Christians followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to learn more about the amazing life of the Apostle Paul. Let’s close out the week by bringing the Apostle Peter into the conversation. The first half of the book of Acts is primarily focused on the ministry of the Apostle Peter and the second half on the ministry of the Apostle Paul. Peter, as we know, was called to minister to Jews and Paul to the Gentiles. However, that does not mean that Peter could not minister to Gentiles or Paul could not minister to Jews. It was just that each had their own ministry-focus. After highlighting all sorts of flaws in Paul, I feel led to bring out a major flaw in Peter.
In Acts 10, after Paul had been sent away to Tarsus, the Lord instructed Peter to visit the home of a Gentile named Cornelius. The Lord wanted Peter to bring the Gospel message and the power of the Holy Spirit to Cornelius and his family. However, Peter had a hard time with the assignment. Although Peter was there when Jesus ministered to the Samaritan woman at the well, to the Samaritan leper, and to the Syrophoenician woman who had a daughter with an unclean spirit, Peter still had a hard time intermingling with non-Jews. The Lord had to basically coerce Peter to take the assignment and when he returned from ministering to Cornelius and his family, Peter’s friends ridiculed him for entering the home of a Gentile. This man was leader of the New Testament church and he had problems with race.
Later on, as our text points out, Paul confronted Peter about the hypocrisy he exhibited where race was concerned. If no one was around, Peter would seemingly feel comfortable around non-Jews. But if his friends were around, Peter shunned anyone who was not circumcised. This type of two-faced behavior would not be a big deal if we were not talking about the man considered by Catholics to be the first Pope.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. We all have issues. Paul persecuted the church and he assisted in the murder of the first martyr, but God still used him. Peter denied Jesus three times and he had clear issues with race and racism, but God still used him. Peter and Paul were not just ordinary men, these were the two main leaders of the first century church movement and both of them had issues. What’s the point? The point is that if God required us to be issue-free before He used us, then there would not be anyone to use. There would be no Pastors in the pulpit, no ushers in the isles, no greeters at the door, and I certainly would not be writing this message.
2. God does not require perfection. The devil wants you to think that God requires you to be perfect. Yes, I said it. You may be thinking, “But Rick, why would the devil promote perfection in the Body of Christ?” The answer is simple. The devil promotes perfection because he knows you will never attain it. Therefore, he uses the supposed requirement to be perfect to hold your flaws over your head. But God does not require you to be perfect. Jesus was perfect for you. God does not want to use you because you are perfect, He wants to use you because you are forgiven!
3. Grace is liberating. The Law says, “You must be right before God and you must work for your righteousness.” Grace says, “You could never be right, Jesus made you right, and the only way to become righteous is by faith in Christ.” The Law put the emphasis on man working for God. Grace puts the emphasis on God working for man. The Law focused on your commitment to God. Grace focuses on God’s commitment to you. God loves you, He has forgiven you, He sent Jesus to die in your place, and He wants to use you for His glory! Not because you are so good, but because He is!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for helping me to understand Your Amazing Grace. When I look at Peter and Paul, the leaders of the New Testament church movement, I realize that they were not perfect and You never required them to be. You used them in spite of their faults, flaws and failures, and You will do the same for me. I know I don’t have to be “issue-free” in order to be used of You, for Your glory. While I strive for perfection, I don’t allow myself to wallow in condemnation when I fall short of it. I quickly repent, I embrace Grace, and I move on by faith. You don’t use me because I am so good. You use me because You are so good. I used to live my life focused on what I was committed to doing for You. I now live my life focused on what You are committed to doing for, with and through me. The message of Grace has helped me take the focus off of me and put the focus (rightly) on You. I am here by Grace. I am Your child, called by Your name, and I am fully submitted to whatever You want to do in my life. The plans I had for my future are no longer my priority. My #1 priority is doing whatever You lead me to do. My life is all about You. Use me Father for Your glory, today and for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
