downward facing hypocrite pose

Galatians 2:15-16

15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified 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.

 Let me break this down a little bit for you:

We are made right with God by our faith in Him, not by obeying the law. No one will ever be made right by just obeying the law.

Paul is talking to Peter, or more so reprimanding him for his hypocrisy. Starting in verse 11 (please open your Bible to check it out) we see that Peter is eating and drinking with the Gentiles but when his friends come around he would not eat with them anymore in fear of being criticized. Now this passage isn’t saying Peter was sinning by being with these people, Paul had to oppose him to his face because of the hypocrisy he was showing. Peter was okay with socializing with these people when the leaders weren’t looking, but as soon as they came around he then acted as if it were wrong. Then Paul goes on to explain that it is NOT the law that makes us right, it is only by our faith in The Lord Jesus Christ. If I were to wear yoga pants every day at work but at church lecture the girls about not wearing yoga pants, I would be a hypocrite right? Well that is exactly what Paul is telling Peter.

Answer This:

1.   Have you ever tried to live like non-Christians to “get them saved,” or win their approval?

2.   Have you ever been called out for being a hypocrite? (If yes, why? If no, maybe you need to ask yourself: Am I living like a Christian? Am I living like a non-Christian? or Am I trying to live like both?)

3.   How would you react to being called out like Peter was?

4.   Are you trying to be a good person only living by some laws? (stay out of trouble, no stealing, no lying, no sexual immorality, no filthy language…) Or are you relying on Christ with your faith and actions? (daily Bible reading, prayer, godly fellowship, godly choices because it's right, discipleship, sharing your faith…)

5. Take a minute and journal about this passage.

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Written by Sarah