Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. We are gathered here today, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the divine narrative God is writing in our lives. We are not bystanders, but rather, we are the living epistles of God’s grace, the tangible expressions of His love and mercy.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the Apostle Paul's letter to the Galatians, specifically Galatians 2:11-21. This portion of Scripture is a treasure trove of wisdom, a beacon of truth that shines brightly in the fog of our daily struggles. It is a clarion call to confront legalism, to embrace Christ's liberation from legalism, and to continue living in the freedom that our Savior has so graciously bestowed upon us.

Charles Spurgeon, a man greatly admired for his profound wisdom and understanding of God's Word, once said, "Legalism has no kinship with the gospel, and to mix the two is to undermine the ways of God." This quote resonates deeply with our focus today, reminding us that the gospel of Christ is not a list of rules to be obeyed, but a relationship with God to be enjoyed.

Now, let's read together from Galatians 2:11-21:

"But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, 'If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?' We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 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. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose."

Confronting Legalism

In the passage we read, we see the Apostle Paul standing up to Peter, one of the foremost figures in the early Christian church. Peter had been eating with the Gentiles, a practice frowned upon by the Jewish community. However, when certain men from James came, Peter withdrew from the Gentiles out of fear of the circumcision party. This act of hypocrisy did not go unnoticed by Paul, who confronted Peter for his actions.

This confrontation was not a mere disagreement between two individuals. It was a stand against a mindset that was creeping into the church, a mindset that threatened to undermine the very essence of the gospel. This mindset was legalism. Legalism, in its simplest form, is the belief that one can earn God's favor through obedience to the law. It is a mindset that places rules above relationship, duty above love, and human effort above divine grace.

Paul saw this mindset at work in Peter's actions. Peter, out of fear of the circumcision party, had chosen to adhere to the Jewish dietary laws rather than continue in the freedom of the gospel. He had chosen law over grace, rules over relationship. This was a clear manifestation of legalism, and Paul knew he had to confront it.

The first aspect of this confrontation is the recognition of legalism. Legalism is often subtle, creeping into our lives unnoticed. It can manifest in various ways, such as a sense of superiority over others who do not adhere to the same rules, a feeling of guilt when we fail to meet certain standards, or a tendency to judge others based on their outward actions rather than their heart condition. Paul recognized these signs in Peter's actions and took a stand against them.

The second aspect is the courage to confront. Confrontation is never easy. It requires courage, wisdom, and love. Paul had all three. He had the courage to stand up to Peter, one of the pillars of the church. He had the wisdom to see the danger of legalism and the love to correct his brother in Christ. His confrontation was not out of anger or pride, but out of a desire to preserve the purity of the gospel.

The third aspect is the reliance on the truth of the gospel. In his confrontation, Paul did not rely on his own wisdom or eloquence. He relied on the truth of the gospel. He reminded Peter that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. This is the heart of the gospel, the antidote to legalism. It is the truth that sets us free from the bondage of rules and regulations and brings us into a relationship with God.

The fourth aspect is the commitment to live out the gospel. Paul's confrontation was not just words. It was backed by his life. He lived out the freedom of the gospel, choosing to associate with the Gentiles despite the cultural and religious barriers. His life was a testimony to the truth of his words, a living proof of the power of the gospel to break down walls and bring unity in Christ.

Christ's Liberation from Legalism

As we continue to unpack the richness of Galatians 2:11-21, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of a liberating truth ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO