The Gospel Under Pressure

Galatians 2:1–10 CSB

1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 I went up according to a revelation and presented to them the gospel I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those recognized as leaders. I wanted to be sure I was not running, and had not been running, in vain. 3 But not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4 This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us. 5 But we did not give up and submit to these people for even a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved for you. 6 Now from those recognized as important (what they once were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism)—they added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter was for the circumcised, 8 since the one at work in Peter for an apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in me for the Gentiles. 9 When James, Cephas, and John—those recognized as pillars—acknowledged the grace that had been given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to me and Barnabas, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They asked only that we would remember the poor, which I had made every effort to do.

Paul is continuing to defend himself against the Judaizers. They first attacked the authority of the gospel he was preaching and now they are saying he’s a renegade, that he was opposed and independent from apostles in Jerusalem.

When you challenge the authority of the “rule makers” then they will find things to complain about and accuse you of. In light of this…

Pressure can reveal the strength of your convictions.

Paul was constantly facing pressure from those who had an opinion on how he should be doing what God has called him to do.

We will face the same pressures - today the world pushes a gospel other than the biblical gospel and we must respond.

We can go two ways… stand firm in the biblical truth we know and believe or be turned from the truth by the pressure and compromise.

I refuse to compromise what I know God leading me to do regardless of who is putting pressure me to do so.

Our authority in the gospel comes from God not from man.

While Paul did go to Jerusalem to talk with the apostles who were with Jesus it wasn’t necessarily to get their approval.

Paul knew God had called him but he was curious to see if God confirmed what he knew to be true through the apostles.

While it is good to have others agree with you the most important One to concern yourself with is God.

We must stand firm and defend the gospel.

Religious legalism and cultural compromise can sneak in - often they present themselves as good intentions but can be distortions of the gospel.

Even subtle, well meaning, distortions enslave us.

We must confront these distortions even if it costs us popularity, comfort or peace.

We should seek unity but never at the expense of truth.

Sure there were differences between Paul and Jerusalem apostles - Paul was called to go to the Gentiles while they were directed at first to go to the Jews.

Still, the apostles recognized God was using Paul - maybe not the same as them- but they welcomed him.

Unity is desired but keep in mind… you do not want to be united with those who add-to or distort the gospel.

Here is my promise to you - I will not go along to get along - I will stand firm in the truth of God’s word - what I do I will do for the sake of the gospel so we may reach the lost - I will work to equip you to do the same - I will keep God first in all things

Will you?