A Covenant Community Cares Faithfully Series

Paul Confronts Peter

approx. AD 40

Peter was eating with a group of Gentile believers - maybe a church picnic.

He had shared the gospel with Gentiles and had received confirmation from the Holy Spirit that salvation is for them too.

Some guys from James came to the same picnic - these guys where part of what was called the “Circumcision” party - they were urging that gentiles should adhere to the Jewish religious codes in order to be saved.

Peter let the fear of man dictate his actions and so he backed away from the gentiles.

So Paul confronted him.

Galatians 2:11–14 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 believers, 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 believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?

Peter, like all of us, was not perfect. He made mistakes. He had lapses in judgment. He needed help from a friend who could restore him to the truth.

I don’t know if James had this scene in mind when he penned the closing words to his letter to exiled believers, but his words certainly seem to fit the scene with Peter and Paul.

Open your bibles to James 5. Over the last few months, we’ve been seeking to glean insight from James regarding how we should live a life that is fully integrated where our faith and our actions line up. We’ve learned about how to remain true in the face of persecution. We’ve discussed how our speech and actions align with our faith. We’ve discussed partiality and opportunism. In many ways, the entire letter has been an instruction manual to a Christian or Covenant community. As James concludes his letter, he seems to be urging us to understand that a Christian or covenant community cares faithfully.

James 5:19–20 ESV

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

This care that James calls us to exhibit touches several parts of life. First of all, we should...

Care about one another.

We are not just a group of people who happen to worship the same God at the same time, for those who have trusted Christ as Savior - we are a Christian community. For those who have entered fully into membership of the family, we are a covenant community. We are a spiritual family. As such, we need to pay attention to each other. We need to be willing to get our eyes off of ourselves and our concerns and pay attention to the pain, hurt, joys, and sorrows of other.

There is a sense in which we may be tempted to assume that this care is someone else’s responsibility - maybe that of an Elder or Deacon or a teacher or Community Group leader, but it’s ultimately everyone’s responsibility.

Some of the paying attention will require that we make time for one another.

Make time to build a relationship

…getting to know each other more deeply, more fully. This week, Armal and I went to a conference in NC. We had plenty of time in the car, at the hotel, etc. While we’ve known each other for nearly 15 years, there are some brand new things I learned about Armal this week! Building relationships can take many different forms - sharing a meal together, serving together, reading or studying the word together, attending a ball game, taking an interest in each other at Community Group. Get curious about one another, maybe even invite someone to go to lunch today or dinner later this week. Realistically, we’re going to know each other differently. We will not all be equally close to each other, but there may be certain people that God is laying on your heart to invest in. Pay attention to how the Spirit is leading there, and make time to build a relationship.

Make time to help

As we build relationships, we will be more aware of when someone needs help and frankly, that individual will be more willing to receive help because they are known. I love hearing about people stepping up to make meal for someone or volunteering to walk with Nancy when her usual walking partners are unavailable, or picking up groceries for someone, doing a bit a yard work or even just listening. There are so many ways that we can take time to help - to demonstrate our care.