Bible Verse of the Day – 2-24-23

Galatians 2:11 (NJKV) 11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed;

As Paul penned these words, he did so with great concern.

He had learned that Peter, who had been sent to the Jews to bring them the gospel of Christ, had fallen to peer pressure and was now telling new Christians that they must be circumcised, as was the Jewish tradition.

This undermined the entire foundation of the gospel, insinuating that God’s grace was not enough, and that new believers had to fall back to Jewish traditions to be saved.

This was a grave perversion of the truth.

Paul found it necessary to confront Peter and correct Him, exposing his hypocrisy before all who were present, making it clear that traditions were not required.

Peter had, in fact, been living as a Gentile (despite being a Jew), walking in the freedoms of Christ prior to being swayed by the pressures of some of the Jews who finally persuaded him.

Galatians 2:14 (NKJV) 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

Paul went on to warn Peter and the others that man is not justified (declared righteous) by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. And that by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

We are saved purely by faith in Christ.

It’s important that we not mix works, rituals and traditions with our faith, mistaking these things as being required for our salvation.

Yes, works are important, but only as an outward expression of our faith. Not as something that we must do to make ourselves holy or righteous (justified) in God’s eyes.

As for traditions and rituals? These are purely man-made and not required or useful in our walk with God.

God wants our hearts, plain and simple. So, let’s give Him what he asks for.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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