Galatians 2:3-5 (ESV)
But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
Today my reading was Galatians 2:1-10 where Paul talks to the Galatian church about his journey to Jerusalem for the goal of affirming his ministry with the Pillars of the church (Peter, James, and John). One of the things that jumped out at me and is consistent with the whole of the letter to the Galatian church, is that the Gospel is foremost and central aspect of the Gospel is Justification by Faith Alone.
The Judaizers felt that the Mosaic instruction of circumcision was still required for salvation but that is a departure from the justification by faith alone concept central to the Gospel. Paul, Peter, James, and John refused this teaching and even Titus who was with Paul and a student of his was uncircumcised and an example of God’s redemption power for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Anything that substitutes faith alone, through Christ alone, by grace alone, is not the Gospel, but a false-gospel that should be refused.
There is a church ‘Leadership’ learning here that I will talk more about tomorrow as I cover Paul’s rebuking of the Apostle Peter. I want to do more study on this one first so that, as Paul would say, that I am not running or have run too fast before a takeaway here.
APPLICATION
The Gospel is the Power of God. The saving truth of Jesus’ sacrifice covering all sin for the repentant sinner is huge. This does not excuse or endorse sinning…no one can sit at the foot of the cross understanding their depravity, and that the Lord has saved them anyway, and walk away from that realization without a humble and godly fear of living the rest of the life dedicated to honoring and pleasing the Lord Jesus who saved them.