Who We Are Instead, v. 2.0

v 1.0 can be found here: http://haphazardangus.blogspot.com/2008/01/who-we-are-instead-v-10.html

First, read Galatians 2: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=galatians%202&version=65


Paul continues Galatians by sharing a story that shows us an example of folks too bound by old traditions (esp. the pesky “circumcision issue”). At the end of this, another pseudo “qualifications”-passage, Paul tells us one thing they all agreed on (and something for us to just remember): Don’t forget the poor…

There seem to be two overarching themes in Galatians 2 (esp. v. 11-21…http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=galatians%202:11-21;&version=65;). First, it seems to be a warning of mixing an “elitist, high-and-mighty” attitude with that of being two-faced about your faith (the Peter example). Peter, showing how even folks who “get it more than most” will still struggle with faith consistency, is basically called out for not being more constant in how he lives his faith. It’s not even a sin issue so much (well, at it's deepest root it is I suppose...), but more of a “playing to the crowd” as far as attitudes, etc. I bet we all do this to some extent. You know, being “churchy” at certain places, saying all the right lingo, but at school, work, with friends, its’ a different story… I hear the phrase, “Don’t say that! You’re at church!” ALL THE TIME, to which I usually reply with some thought about how you should talk the same both inside AND outside these walls (and how you must decide which “talk” needs to go bye-bye…). Peter was more guilty of being a flip-flopper with attitudes and traditions…but Paul still calls him (and us) to be consistent as an example to others.

The second theme is a reminder that since we aren’t perfect, we really need to give up on gritting our teeth to “be perfect” with our own strength. It will never work, and yet our own strength ALWAYS ends up becoming our god. I bet you’ve either been there or know folks like that. The attitudinal danger is that if you live this way, you can start expecting others to be as moral as you (legalism) or else they “can’t be real Christians”. DANGER! Our reliance on Jesus ALONE should never be an excuse to just keep on making wrong choices, but we need to view other believers as folks in the same boat we are in (not-yet perfect, will make mistakes, shouldn’t be expected to always have our same convictions, etc.). When we feel weak, we don’t just grit our teeth as much as we a) ask the Lord to give us strength (and remember he does!) and b) rely on the support of our faith community to rally around us.

Is that you? Are you a “law” man or woman, or are you God’s man or woman?

Questions to Ponder:

1. What was Paul saying about Peter? How is that a warning about our own attitudes?

2. What are some ways we (meaning, folks in our “scene” as well as ourselves) seem to be inconsistent with how we present ourselves?

3. What is the purpose of seeking consistency with the knowledge that we are not to rely on our own strength (like, “presenting” ourselves with consistency, but not making it about “us”?)

4. What are ways you have relied on God alone to give strength/facilitate heart-and-attitude change in your life?

5. Are you a “law” man or woman? How does one instead be “God’s” man or woman?