Even healthy ministries that experience growth and miracles can run into problems. Here’s what happened to Paul’s ministry in Galatia.
Two things really. It’s not just a coincidence that when ministry seems to be going well false teachers spring up and try to take over. I think what they want is power and recognition, and a large group of healthy growing Christians must seem pretty inviting. These teachers have invaded the churches of Galatia…most likely telling the people “okay, you’re off to a good start accepting Jesus as Savior….now you need to go all the way and begin following the law strictly.”
As Paul points out, even though that sounds good, it’s a lie. Nothing is needed for salvation except acceptance of God’s sacrifice for us. Believing by faith is what’s required. Now, if we want to talk about how we should behave after we are saved, that’s a different story. For instance: I can’t be saved by keeping Sunday holy, but once I accept salvation I am compelled to keep it holy. In both cases Sunday is maintained, in the second it stems from love for Christ, instead of necessity for forgiveness.
Then there is the second thing…. The first problem arose from outside the church; people coming in with a false gospel. This second problem comes from inside; God fearing Christians allowing legalism to creep back into their practice, and looking down on others who don’t comply.
1. Inside the church there are no social classes, no distinction between the wealthy and the poor, the wise and the uneducated, the slave and the free. There are no racial divides within the church…the true believer understands that we are all equal before Christ. So when Peter treats the Gentiles as “other than Jews” he violates the new covenant. And Paul simply calls him on it, and explains why he does so. I suspect that Peter immediately repents and life goes on as it should.
2. We each have a responsibility to the others in the church (or in the faith). Our responsibility is to care, to pray, to love and to be concerned enough to speak up when we see something wrong….or that we don’t understand. This will only be effective if we can do it in love, but we must do nonetheless.
2. We each have a responsibility to the others in the church (or in the faith). Our responsibility is to care, to pray, to love and to be concerned enough to speak up when we see something wrong….or that we don’t understand. This will only be effective if we can do it in love, but we must do nonetheless.
learning as I go,
PR