I'm currently reading Galatians and I am enjoying Paul's bluntness in his letter. He is straight forward and doesn't hold back. Normally, people try to sugar coat things thinking they may hurt a person's feelings with the truth. Not Paul, he recognized the truth hurts, but the truth can also set you free.
On thing he did was call out Peter (his buddy) for his slacking. Peter was suppose to be preaching to the Gentiles and trying to get them to convert to the Jewish way of life. He was suppose to be witnessing and showing them a better way. However, Peter got all caught up in how the Gentiles were living that he began to ruin his witness. Paul spoke up saying:
Gal 2
14But when I saw that they were not maintaining a steady, straight course according to the Message, I spoke up to Peter in front of them all: "If you, a Jew, live like a non-Jew when you're not being observed by the watchdogs from Jerusalem, what right do you have to require non-Jews to conform to Jewish customs just to make a favorable impression on your old Jerusalem cronies?"
On thing he did was call out Peter (his buddy) for his slacking. Peter was suppose to be preaching to the Gentiles and trying to get them to convert to the Jewish way of life. He was suppose to be witnessing and showing them a better way. However, Peter got all caught up in how the Gentiles were living that he began to ruin his witness. Paul spoke up saying:
Gal 2
14But when I saw that they were not maintaining a steady, straight course according to the Message, I spoke up to Peter in front of them all: "If you, a Jew, live like a non-Jew when you're not being observed by the watchdogs from Jerusalem, what right do you have to require non-Jews to conform to Jewish customs just to make a favorable impression on your old Jerusalem cronies?"
Those are some powerful words. Applying that to our lives now, are you living what you are teaching? Are you applying the same standards to your life? How can you, or how could you rather, expect someone to live a Christian lifestyle if you your self are not living it. So before you consider yourself a witness, or even speak to a person about Christ, reevaluate your living. And of course, do not expect someone to live for Christ if you aren't.
Until Next Time...
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