DCLM Daily Manna Thursday 5 Sept 2024

TOPIC: Get Real!

TEXT: GALATIANS 2:1-17
2 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

² And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

³ But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

⁴ And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

⁵ To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

⁶ But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

⁷ But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

⁸ (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

⁹ And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

¹⁰ Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

¹¹ But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

¹² For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

¹³ And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

¹⁴ But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

¹⁵ We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

¹⁶ Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

¹⁷ But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

KEY VERSE 
For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles. but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
(Galatians 2:12)

DCLM Daily Manna Thursday 5 Sept 2024 MESSAGE

The story is told of a zoo that was noted for its outstanding collection of rare animal species. One day, the gorilla died and, to keep up the appearance of a full range of animals, the zookeeper hired a man to wear a gorilla suit and fill in for the dead animal. It was his first day on the job, and did not know how to act like a gorilla very well.

As he tried to move convincingly, he got too close to the enclosure wall and fell into the lion exhibit. He began to scream, convinced his life was over…until the lion spoke to him: “Be quiet, or you’re going to get us both fired!” Apparently, like the gorilla, the lion was not real.

READ DCLM Daily Manna Wednesday 4 September 2024 – Shun Discontentment

Apostle Peter had been an advocate of the gentile believers, but disassociated himself from them when Judaizers from Jerusalem came around. Paul rebuked him openly for this dissimulation. He stood his ground against attempts by the Jews to compel the gentile believers to embrace Judaism and the ceremonial laws that Christ’s death had cancelled. He maintained that salvation is by grace through faith. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast with it.

Pretending to be who we are not, does not sit well with our Christian profession. Some believers, especially new converts, are afraid to take a stand, when their faith and beliefs contradict the society’s popular opinion. They publicly detest the things they privately accept. This is compromise and hypocrisy.

As believers, we must learn to identify with fellow brethren who are passing through challenges and persecutions, because of their Christian faith. There should be no room for hypocrisy and pretense. God wants us to be real and take our stand. If we fail to stand with Christ, we cannot reign with Him.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Do not disguise; be true to yourself.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: LEVITICUS 15-17