Freedom Fighter

Gal 2:11-16

What’s worth fighting for? (Gal 2:1-10)

Three categories of beliefs: convictions, persuasions, or opinions.

Persuasions & opinions should not divide us… we can argue & disagree, but not divide.

Convictions level beliefs are worth fighting & dying for… they define Christianity.

Many professing believers think they are “spiritual” because of what they do, or don’t do, or the group they belong to, etc… a form of legalism. We must fight this & allow division.

A different gospel is no gospel at all.

False brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on our liberty. (v.2:4)

False brothers: sham Christians, pseudo-Christians… no true inner-life of salvation.

Infiltrated: passive voice, an action that happened to them. They were pawns of Satan.

If Christ is your Savior, you will be His servant. He will use you.

If you decide to harbor unforgiveness, resentment, jealousy, etc you will become a pawn for Satan to bring discord, division, etc. He will use you.

Peter’s relapse… & Paul’s fight for freedom. (Gal 2:11-16)

Peter initially enjoyed fellowship with Gentiles when he went to Antioch. (Acts 15)

When Judaizers came he broke fellowship with Gentiles.

Fear of man brings a snare. (Pr 29:25)

Paul opposed Peter to his face in front of them all. (v.11,14)

Opposed is defensive in nature… to set against.

The one who opposes is not the one who causes confrontation.

In this case Peter’s hypocrisy caused the confrontation… Paul stood in his way.

Had Paul not stood in his way, Paul would have been the transgressor.

Paul’s example… do not deal with public transgressions in secret. (Mt 18:15-17)

Others were already following Peter’s hypocrisy. (v.13)

Peter was on road to apostasy, but it’s clear he repented & returned to gospel of grace.

Rebuking hypocrisy & error is healthy & good. (2Tim 3:16)

Call to unity among believers is constant in NT. (Jn 17; Eph 4, etc.)

But there are some things we should fight for… our conviction level beliefs.

Speaking & defending the truth is more important than keeping the peace.

We must fight for conviction level beliefs… even if it divides.

Not divide brother from brother, but real from false, pure from hypocritical.

Not to those with natural inclination to argue & confront, but to the meek… they must love the truth enough to defend it. (danger of both sides of the “narrow path”)

We must confront hypocrisy… but gently & humbly. (Gal 6:1)

The best way to defend the truth is to live the truth.

It’s not enough to believe the Gospel… you must obey it.

We are all inclined to hypocrisy & we are usually blind to it… we need each others help.

If we name the name, but don’t live it… we need to be confronted.

Even great ministers of Gospel make mistakes… don’t follow men.

We need to be gentle & humble & follow golden rule… tomorrow it could be you.

If you’re inclined to be harsh & judgmental… the hypocrisy is close to home. (Rom 2:1)

When confronting false brethren, remember the log in your own eye. (Mt 7:1-5)

Are you real in Jesus… or are you adding something to the gospel of grace?

Essence of true Christian life (after repenting of sins & trusting in Christ alone): 

(1) Be filled with the H Spirit. (be yielded & empty of self) 

(2) Do what ever you want. (you will want to do God’s will)

Liberty is not license to do what you (sin nature) want, but freedom to do God’s will.

So many professing Christians are without joy… still burdened by shame & guilt. 

Truth: God has given you the gift of justification by faith… just as if you never sinned. Your sins are Gone! No guilt! Be free! (Gal 2:15-16)

How can a man be just (right) before God? (Job 9:2)

The just (righteous) shall live by faith. (Hab 2:4)

Justification: is an act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous in Christ. God does it… it is not by man’s works or character. (Rm 8:33)

God has put our sins on Christ, & put Christ’s righteousness on us. (2Cor 5:21)

We are right with God only by putting our faith in Jesus Christ.

God declares us righteous… He doesn’t make us so. We are not guilty!

Real justification also leads to a changed life. (Ja 2)

We are saved by faith alone… but the faith that saves is never alone.

God justifies sinners (Rm 4:5)… we must admit we’re sinners before we can be justified.

Once you have been justified by faith, you can never be held guilty before God. Your past sins are remembered no more. (Ps 103:12; Ps 32:1-7; Rm 4:1-4)

                                                                                                                                              01-24-10