My life is filled with an endless number of decisions. I cannot think of any area of my life that does not involve decisions. It could be as simple as deciding what kind of motor oil to put in my truck or something much bigger like deciding if it’s time to downsize our home. The Bible often provides general wisdom for many of these decisions. Some decisions do not matter much, but others do!
Biblical convictions are the product of a believer’s growing relationship with the Lord. The most straight forward convictions are those that are spelled out directly, like the commandment: do not steal. Other decisions are more subjective. These involve areas (assuming they do not cross Biblical admonitions) like, what kind of media content will I consume. There are also personal convictions that we hold individually that may not apply to others.
This week we will continue our series from Galatians looking at a passage where the Apostle Paul had to confront the Apostle Peter for being hypocritical. The issue resulted from when Peter, while visiting the predominantly Gentile church in Antioch, stopped eating with the Gentile believers, because certain legalistic Jewish Christians showed up. “For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.” (Galatians 2:12).
If this situation was not egregious enough, it had a huge negative impact in the church as other believers of Jewish ethnicity followed Peter’s example. Paul states in Galatians that the situation was so bad that even Barnabas got sucked in. Now, maybe you are thinking, “that would never happen to me”. But let me encourage you to give this some attention in your life. I never cease to be amazed at how flexible I can be at justifying doing what I want to do, instead of holding to my predetermined convictions.
I have to remind myself that when I start to rationalize something that will only impact my relationship with the Lord negatively, I am telling myself “rational-lies”! Let me briefly remind you that the Apostle Peter received direct revelation from the Lord Jesus that the gospel was open to Gentiles. Peter was also part of a Jerusalem church council where he argued from his previous experience that Gentiles did not need to be circumcised and by extension keep the Law. The other leaders, elders agreed.
So, what happened? This is a case of peer pressure. We are all vulnerable to it.
Sticking to our convictions requires wisdom and fortitude that is realized in a growing relationship with the Lord. I would recommend establishing some fences in your life. It could be a commitment to not watch certain media, go to certain places or even a commitment to read your Bible each morning before breakfast. Obviously, it is wise to avoid context and individuals that could negatively influence us. I am reminded of the godly man Job when he stated, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.” (Job 31:1). What are some of your convictions?
-Pastor Joe Parkinson