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My readings in Galatians continued beginning with chapter 2, very one to the end of the chapter. A reminder that this letter from Paul is the first of the four in "Go Eat Peaches & Cream" to help us easier find Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.
Paul returns back to Jerusalem with a posse, Barnabas and Titus. It has been fourteen years since his last visit and it seems they arrived to be present at the council at Jerusalem (See Acts 15). Paul wants to share how the gospel he has been sharing with the Gentiles has been a fruitful one. Their arrival is met by some Judaizers who want Titus, the Gentile in the posse, to be circumcised to conform to their beliefs on the Law. Paul and others were able to convince them that this was not necessary, and Paul shares how salvation comes by faith, which is enough for God - not the external demands of circumcision. Peter recognizes that God is truly at work in Paul's ministry to the Gentiles; and Paul recognizes how God is at work in Peter's ministry to the Jews. Paul later meets up with James and John, who along with Peter, extend "the right hand of fellowship" to Paul and all recognized the grace of God upon their work. They agree they will continue with their respective works, all they ask of Paul and his work, is to continue to remember the poor, of which Paul says he is eager to do.
Peter later comes to Antioch to visit Paul. His arrival to a Gentile city makes Peter act more like a Jew, and when some from James' crew come to visit, Peter further withdraws from Gentiles and further into his Jewish observations of daily life. This leads Paul to confront Peter with the truth: "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?" Again, Paul's faith is to stress justification by faith and not works or observing the Law. He writes, "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I 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."
GO AND GROW PRAYER: Loving God, live in me. Fill me with Your grace and righteousness. You care not how I look on the outside but how I live on the inside. Let me not forget the poor, for all deserve to know You. This I pray in Christ Jesus my Lord & Savior, amen.
