Quotation (Galatians 2: 12 -13)

Until certain people came from James, Peter had been eating with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he stopped doing this and separated himself because he was afraid of those who were pro circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also joined with him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray with them by their hypocrisy

One thing Christians are very good at all over the world and that is hypocrisy. Even Peter, the outstanding apostle of Christ, a leading pillar in the Church, and the torchbearer for others, was caught red handed in hypocrisy.
The background story is that Peter had come to Antioch Syria and staying with the brethren there. And they all break bread together, without discriminating between Jews and Gentiles. Normally, Jews would not eat with non-Jews, because of their traditions of Kosher (clean and unclean food). But the understanding of the redemption in Christ was that God now put Jews and Gentiles on the same grounds of grace, and that salvation is by faith in Christ, therefore everyone, Jew or Gentile, are ustified by God not on the basis of keeping Mosaic laws but believing in Christ and living by faith in the truth that is in Him. Peter and Paul agreed on this, and this theological question was settled at the Jerusalem Council, with the approval of the Holy Spirit. So there is no dividing line between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians, except the basis of race.
Now some people have arrived at Antioch, having been sent by James, the Lord's brother, who was also a leading member of the Jerusalem Church. And guess what? Peter did not want to be seen eating with these Gentile brethren in the Lord, for fear of these pro circumcision people. As a torchbearer for others, and a leading figure in the Church, Peter's hypocrisy led other Jews astray. They separated themselves from these non Jews, and even a standing member like Barnabass was also carried away by this wind of hypocrisy.

Paul, who himself, wax a Jew, was shocked and perplexed by their behavior. And thank God Paul confronted and rebuked Peter in front of them all, and exposed his hypocrisy and blamed him for that mess.

What do we learn from this situation?

- we are hypocrites when we don't walk, live and behave uprightly, and refuse to live by the truth for fear of people

- our hypocrisy affect other people, for it lead them astray and away from the truth and grace of God

- our lives are the only scriptures or Bible people will ever read, so stop hypocrisy

- our hypocrisy also affect God and throw His grace and salvation in jeopardy for others.

Note that your Christian life and faith are not about you, they are about God and His purposes. Paul was not against Peter practising his Jewish traditions, what he was against was the hypocritical manner he was carrying it out and how it was destroying the fellowship of the brethren and the grace of God.
So let's stop hypocrisy, for it does much harm than God.
So as you go through the day and live life, know and understand what your hypocrisy does to yourself, other people and the kingdom of God. And so stop it for it doesn't help build the Church or the people of God.
May you refuse to be hypocrite, and may you live by the fear of God instead of the fear of men. And may the grace of God found you today in Jesus name. Amen

pray with me

Thank you Father for your truth and grace and for people who will confront us for our hypocrisy. Help us come out of hypocrisy and live in the grace and truth of your word as torchbearers for others. May our faith and life not lead people astray from the truth and grace of God rather may they bring people to you as they see the display of truth and grace in our lives in Jesus name. Amen

Shalom, life and grace to you
Moving people unto God's purposes