Devotional - May 22, 2024

Scripture: Galatians 2: 20-21 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

This concludes Paul's speech to Cephas (Peter) for not wanting to associate himself with the Gentiles. He instead only associated with a separatist group, out of fear of them. Paul was inscenced by Peter's actions. He esteemed and respected Peter and could not allow him to go unchecked for his behavior. It was against all that God had done through Christ. We may ask, why did God allow it? Why does God allow any hypocrisy to exist in the church? Actually, God does not allow it. In the end, those who perpetuate their own agendas in the church will be judged (Matthew 25:31-46). The bigger question is why do we? Does it mean we have to do what Paul is doing here? No, but what we do need to do is recognize it for what it is and treat it as such. In this text we hear Paul's heart. We hear Paul's intimate relationship with Christ; out of which came his identity and his ministry. He knew that Christ's crucifixion was for all (John 3:16), but that did not mean it wasn't personal. Paul understood, as we should, that Jesus died in our place (Hebrews 9:12–15, 1 Cor 15:3). He paid the price for our sins, all of them (1 Peter 3:18, 1 John 2:2). And in His death (for those who are in Christ), we also died to the life we lived before we came to believe and claim Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Afterwhich, we are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17), a new person who lives for and by the power of Christ. Does it mean we are perfect, no, but we are not discouraged either, because we know Whom we follow (Philipians 3: 13-15 2 Cor 5:14). But if there were another route. If we could through our own efforts by-pass Christ and earn our salvation with God, then Paul was the kind of man who could have done it (Philippians 3:3-7). I think that played into his selection by God for this task. I also think Paul could not have been happier it was him. Pauls' need for purity and truth, authenticity, were fulfilled in his relationship with Christ. May that be our testimony too.

Pray with me..., Lord, You know our hearts. You dwell with us. May our hearts rejoice and be at peace. We ask Your blessing on our loved ones. Bless them, we pray, in accordance with their needs. And, may Your blessing be on our church, in Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

God's peace,

Pastor Brian