Living What You Teach

Introduction

Over the years I had lots of textbooks. Some I still have in my collection. With the age of digital technology, the use of textbooks in our schools has dwindled down considerably. There are certainly other forms of textbooks. For example, did you know that your life is an open textbook to those that are in your circle? Think about that with me. Those around you know what you stand for and how your live your life. Do you live what your textbook teaches? Do you live according to what you say you live for?

We see in our study of Galatians a confrontation. Two men of God. One has decided to not live up to the teaching he has taught, and another that says we need to nip this in the bud right now. Listen to these words from Galatians 2:11-14

Galatians 2:11–14 NIV84

11 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. 14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, “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?

Living Under the Influence (vs. 11)

In these short verses, we see what happens when one gives in to the influence of others. Obviously, Peter has come under the influence of some teaching that is not correct. Let me remind you of a few things. First, Peter was a devout Jew. We see in Acts 10 that Peter had a vision when he was praying one day. He was hungry and in his vision he saw something like a large sheet that depicted all kinds of four-footed animals, reptiles and birds of the air. A voice then told him, “get up Peter, kill and eat.”

Acts 10:14 NIV84

14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

You see, according to the Levitical law in Leviticus 11:4-8, Jews were forbidden to eat certain animals. Peter is summoned by the hand of God through a man named Cornelius. Peter goes into the house of Cornelius where this gentile had gathered his relatives and close friends.

Acts 10:25–28 NIV84

25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” 27 Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.

Peter asks why he was summoned to come there. Cornelius tells him of his personal encounter with a messenger from God telling him that God has heard his prayer and remembered his gifts to the poor, and then send for Peter. He did and now he was ready to learn from Peter.

Acts 10:34–35 NIV84

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

This was Peter’s ah-ha moment. He realized then that God has shown them that rituals did not get them a relationship with God but that it only came through Jesus.

Fast forward to our text from Galatians, Peter has come under the influence of some ungodly teaching. The same is true today. If you are experiencing a need for peace, you can google peace and come up with hundreds of self-help opportunities to help you become more enlightened. You can find lists of things to do to find peace. However, let me remind you that you will never find full everlasting peace outside of Jesus Christ. Anything that tells you can is a boldface lie. Luckily for Peter, Paul cared enough to confront Peter’s misconception. Paul defined, defended and declared the truth.

Truth Defined

First in defining the truth, Paul reminded Peter that the gospel was about Jesus and not rituals. We have said multiple times that it is not about the practice of religion but about a relationship with Truth. Jesus said,

John 14:6 NIV84

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Truth Defended

Paul in confronting Peter defends the truth.

1 John 1:6 NIV84

6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.

Peter had claimed to live by the truth yet he was allowing the darkness of the law be his salvation instead of the truth that says Jesus is the light of the world.

Truth Declared

When Paul confronted Peter in public, he is making a statement that declares truth. What would happen if we confronted those that claim to speak on the word of the Lord but it really is not the word of the Lord? It is time for us to be bold and brave and declare the truth of the Gospel.

Jesus declared in John 3:3

John 3:3 NIV84

3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

In that same chapter, Jesus made it known that His Father so loved the world, that He gave His One and Only Son. That is what needs to happen!

Living Understanding the Influence (vs. 12-13)

Paul goes on in Galatians to show us how to understand the power of influence. We see first the negative connotations. We have to recognize from where this influence is coming.

Recognizing the Source

Paul identifies the source as “certain men from James.” The Bible doesn’t indicate that James was with these men, but they indicated they were associated with him. My studies show that this could have been those mentioned in 2 Corinthians 11:26

2 Corinthians 11:26 NIV84

26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.

as “false brothers.” They came in with teaching that led many back into a form of legalistic rituals. This is a reminder to me that we have to always be careful. Remember, any teaching that does not correlate with the Bible should be considered as false.

Also you need to be careful who you hang around.

1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV84

33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

The Ripple Effect

When false teaching comes into the church, there is a ripple effect that takes place. We see a perfect example taking place here. The influencers come along and caused Peter to go backwards in his faith. It did not take long before other Jews joined in, including Barnabas. Peter was a person of influence. As he was influenced, others went down that hole with him. This is why it is so important to make sure that your actions and attitudes do not lead others astray.

Remembering the Reason

Now before you get on the bandwagon being critical of Peter, let me ask you this question. How many familiar Biblical doctrines are you currently disobeying? We all have things that we are not doing right. We also like Peter here, shun away from others because they are different that we are. By the way you know what that is called right? It is called racism. How many times have you made a judgment because someone is different than you?

Remember what Paul wrote to the Ephesians?

Ephesians 4:29–32 NIV84

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Bitterness, rage and anger can grow roots pretty quick. That is why Paul was adamant to move with urgency in confronting Peter.

Living in Urgency with Influence

Ending Before It Begins

Paul wanted to end it before it began to go any further. Notice he confronted Peter’s specific actions and inactions. He didn’t tell Peter he was a scumbag and bashed him, rather he told him that his actions did not line up with what he had previously taught.

Righting the Sinking Ship

By doing this, Paul righted a sinking ship. If he had not done that, there would be a permanent division between Gentile and Jewish Christians. Theologian John Stott wrote, “Paul’s courage in resisting Peter preserved both the truth of the Gospel and the international brotherhood of the church.”

Make Haste Not Waste

Paul did not condemn Peter, he condemned his actions. Paul made haste not waste. Paul dealt with the problem immediately and quickly. He did not form a committee, he did not wait to have a special meeting, but he went and confronted Peter quickly. When the Holy Spirit moves us to act, we need to do so immediately.

Psalm 119:60 NIV84

60 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.

Living Ultimately Because of Influence

We have talked so far today about the negative connotations of influence. Let’s end on a positive note. There are some things you and I can do to be people of positive influence. We can live ultimately and completely because of influence.

Clearing the Way

First, we can clear the way. When I was in early middle school, my dad worked for Perdue Farms in eastern North Carolina. His job was to secure the contractors and oversee the construction of the chicken houses. I would go with him to survey the land and help lay out the stakes so that land clearing and ultimately construction could begin. There were certain specifications we had to use to make sure it was laid out properly. Once the specifications and measurements were set, the land could be cleared and the construction could start. Spiritually, we have to come to the understanding that God loves us and has a plan for us. Our problem is that the construction site in which our spiritual lives is being built is filled with the effects of sin. This sin obstructs our construction site. I love the prophecy from Isaiah.

Isaiah 57:14 NIV84

14 And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”

That beautiful passage of Scripture tells us later on that God will heal, guide and restore comfort to His people. We know that comes through Jesus. When we allow Jesus to clear our paths, He also helps correct our way.

Correcting the Way

Our prayer should be, “Lord, show me anything that I am doing that is not according to Your teaching and Your Gospel.” After we make sure our way is the correct way, there may be some folks that need our positive influence. You see, I think Paul loved the Gospel so much, and he loved Peter so much that he went and confronted him about going down the wrong path. We are all like Peter in some way. And as a result, we need folks like Paul in our lives to help steer us in the right way.

Continuing the Walk

We know for continuing studies in Scripture, this confrontation took place and Peter made the necessary adjustments and went on to lead more Jews and Gentiles to Christ. We can even see evidence in the Epistles he wrote of this.

1 Peter 5:10 NIV84

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

We, with God’s help can live what we teach. Our textbook can be a great influence in the lives of others and an instrument to build up the Kingdom of the Lord. If Paul needed to confront you about your hypocrisy, what would it be?