Devotional for the Week 22 Nov 2004

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Devotional For the Week 22nd November 2004

Gems from Galatians: God-given Freedom
Scripture Reference: Galatians 2:11-16

Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy stems from the root word ‘hypokresis’, referring to actors using masks to play characters in Greek drama. A person is a hypocrite when they put on a mask and project impressions that are meant to deceive. Peter was that kind of person as seen in Galatians 2.

Peter’s actions are shocking in this passage. In effect he hurt and misled the Jewish and Gentile Christians on either side. His actions had 3 effects:-

It showed hypocrisy and a lack of integrity. In Acts 10, Peter steps into a Gentile Christian’s home, motivated by a vision from God and was convinced that God doesn’t show partiality but rather loves all who fears Him. Yet he shunned the Gentile Christians to favour the Jewish Christians in Galatians 2. He was afraid of what those who were circumcised might say.
He promoted a false teaching (legalism). Peter by his legalism, led many fellow Jewish Christians into sin. The law was not given to solely restrict, for to do so, is to practise legalism. The law was given to guide a redeemed life. Hence, if it were a guideline alone, following it would not create redemption.
He allowed inequality and prejudice. Peter’s following of the law centered on the clean and unclean laws. You see, Gentiles were deemed as sinners by the Jews and hence lower than the Israelites, the chosen race. By eating with them, Peter showed they were his equals. But after the Jewish circumcision group arrived, by segregating the Gentiles from the Jews, he showed they were unequal and not good enough.

A Response to Hypocrisy
How can we avoid hypocrisy in our Christian dealings with this world? I’d like to suggest three principles for us that may be of help:

Intolerance of anything infringing God’s holiness and all that He has called us to must be upheld.
This intolerance however, should not be ignorant, lest it become stubborn foolishness. We must know exactly why biblically something is unacceptable.
We must also remember that intolerance need not be WITH rejection, for this would lead to legalism. Intolerance is best upheld without rejection.

For instance, let’s look at the recent issue of homosexuality and the church. The Church doesn’t tolerate the act of homosexuality for it is sin, without question. Yet we need not be intolerant with rejection. We should show intolerance without rejection for this is Christ’s way. As in Luke 19:42, we see Jesus weeping and crying out for His Jerusalem, to return to Him. He has not rejected it, but He does not condone its hypocrisy and idolatry either.

Reflection
Freedom is not the power to do whatever you want but the power to do what is right. Christ has died to set us free from sin, so that we might have a license to sin again, without being tainted. But so that we might thereon choose to do what is right.

Peter did not choose to do what is right. He tried to please everyone. He changed colors like the chameleon. He didn’t know what he wanted or who he was. Do you feel like him sometimes?

This world often pressures us from all sides. But God says if we follow Him truthfully without a mask of pretense and deception, His truth will set you free. Let freedom ring, in every corner of your life, witnessed or private. And may the truth bring you liberation from the masks this world tries to force upon us.

- Ps Joel Yong

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This Week's Devotional \| 2004 Devotionals \| 2005 Devotionals Devotional For the Week 22nd November 2004 Gems from Galatians: God-given Freedom Scripture Reference: Galatians 2:11-16 Hypocrisy Hypocrisy stems from the root word ‘hypokresis’, referring to actors using masks to play characters in Greek drama. A person is a hypocrite when they put on a mask and project impressions that are meant to deceive. Peter was that kind of person as seen in Galatians 2. Peter’s actions are shocking in this passage. In effect he hurt and misled the Jewish and Gentile Christians on either side. His actions had 3 effects:- It showed hypocrisy and a lack of integrity. In Acts 10, Peter steps into a Gentile Christian’s home, motivated by a vision from God and was convinced that God doesn’t show partiality but rather loves all who fears Him. Yet he shunned the Gentile Christians to favour the Jewish Christians in Galatians 2. He was afraid of what those who were circumcised might say. He promoted a false teaching (legalism). Peter by his legalism, led many fellow Jewish Christians into sin. The law was not given to solely restrict, for to do so, is to practise legalism. The law was given to guide a redeemed life. Hence, if it were a guideline alone, following it would not create redemption. He allowed inequality and prejudice. Peter’s following of the law centered on the clean and unclean laws. You see, Gentiles were deemed as sinners by the Jews and hence lower than the Israelites, the chosen race. By eating with them, Peter showed they were his equals. But after the Jewish circumcision group arrived, by segregating the Gentiles from the Jews, he showed they were unequal and not good enough. A Response to Hypocrisy How can we avoid hypocrisy in our Christian dealings with this world? I’d like to suggest three principles for us that may be of help: Intolerance of anything infringing God’s holiness and all that He has called us to must be upheld. This intolerance however, should not be ignorant, lest it become stubborn foolishness. We must know exactly why biblically something is unacceptable. We must also remember that intolerance need not be WITH rejection, for this would lead to legalism. Intolerance is best upheld without rejection. For instance, let’s look at the recent issue of homosexuality and the church. The Church doesn’t tolerate the act of homosexuality for it is sin, without question. Yet we need not be intolerant with rejection. We should show intolerance without rejection for this is Christ’s way. As in Luke 19:42, we see Jesus weeping and crying out for His Jerusalem, to return to Him. He has not rejected it, but He does not condone its hypocrisy and idolatry either. Reflection Freedom is not the power to do whatever you want but the power to do what is right. Christ has died to set us free from sin, so that we might have a license to sin again, without being tainted. But so that we might thereon choose to do what is right. Peter did not choose to do what is right. He tried to please everyone. He changed colors like the chameleon. He didn’t know what he wanted or who he was. Do you feel like him sometimes? This world often pressures us from all sides. But God says if we follow Him truthfully without a mask of pretense and deception, His truth will set you free. Let freedom ring, in every corner of your life, witnessed or private. And may the truth bring you liberation from the masks this world tries to force upon us. - Ps Joel Yong
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