Fearing the Party of the Circumcision

Paul told the Galatians about the occasion when he had to confront his fellow apostle Peter about his sin (Galatians 2:11-14). This public rebuke occurred in Antioch. Paul explained why Peter "stood condemned" (v. 11):

"For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision" (v. 12). Paul goes on the explain that the rest of the Jews, even Barnabas, followed him in his hypocrisy (v. 13). Paul condemned Peter for not being "straightforward about the truth of the gospel" (v. 14).

Everything began with Peter "fearing the party of the circumcision." He thought too highly of these men. He wanted to be accepted among their sect. He was loyal to the party line. As a result, "he stood condemned" (v. 11).

Christians today sometimes make the same mistake as Peter. They fear the party of _____. This could be a college, magazine, or publishing company. It might be those who hold a certain doctrine. Whatever the party, some Christians, like Peter, want to be accepted by these brethren because they think too highly of them, and so they speak and act by the party's standards.

The results are the same as they were with Peter. They refuse to associate with ones that wouldn't be accepted by the party. They act hypocritically, preaching the gospel of Christ and following Jesus as Lord, yet following the message of these men and elevating them above others. They are not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, because that would lead them to condemn the sects they so look up to.

Let us learn from Peter's example. Do not think so highly of men, even brethren, that you will compromise the truth in order to be accepted by them. Our allegiance must be to Christ, and Christ alone.

Emphasizing Jesus Christ

Paul wrote to the saints in Corinth, "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2). Why did Paul place such an emphasis on teaching Jesus? He explains, "so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God" (1 Cor. 2:5).

The Corinthians had a problem of following after men. This resulted in division, as some were saying, "'I am of Paul,' and 'I of Apollos,' and 'I of Cephas,' and 'I of Christ'" (1 Cor. 1:12). Paul later explained that when they claimed loyalty to these men, they were carnally minded and immature (1 Cor. 3:1-4).

The inspired apostle sought to correct this thinking so that they would focus on following Christ, and not men. This is the first problem he addressed in his letter (1 Cor. 1:10-17). But notice how he subtly makes this point before he explicitly states it.

{1} Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
{2} To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
{3} Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
{4} I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,
{5} that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge,
{6} even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you,
{7} so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
{8} who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
{9} God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
{10} Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

In the first ten verses of this letter, Paul mentions the name of Christ ten times. In doing so he references His deity, lordship (authority), gospel, and revelation in judgment. He also points out that in Him we have salvation, sanctification, grace, fellowship, and unity.

No man can compare with Christ. No one can offer us what Christ can. So let us do as Paul encouraged the Corinthians to do: be wholly devoted to Christ and serve Him faithfully.

Allegiance to Christ

"Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?" (Pr. 20:6)

Millions of people will profess allegiance to Christ. But who is truly loyal to him? The proverb says that most who claim to be good and loyal are not. Are you truly loyal to Christ? Am I? Even the apostle Peter wavered in his loyalty to the Lord after His arrest. Peter beforehand told the Lord, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You" (Mt. 26:35). Yet we read further on in the chapter and see that Peter denied the Lord three times (Mt. 26:69-75). It is far easier to claim allegiance to Christ than to actually show it in the face of trials and conflicts.

Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other" (Mt. 6:24). We cannot be loyal to Christ and loyal to another master. One may be able to ride the fence for a while as long as there is no conflict between the ones they are trying to be loyal to. But when conflict arises, when truth has "fallen in the street" (Is. 59:14), that is when it will become evident whether we are truly aligned with Christ or not.

Brethren, our allegiance must be to Christ and Him alone. Not to some college, bookstore, publication, preacher, elder, family member, etc. "No one can serve two masters" (Mt. 6:24). Let's be sure we're serving the One who can reward our loyalty with a "crown of life" (Rev. 2:10).