31/03/2012 - Stay away from phariseeism

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For before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

Galatians 2:12

The apostle Paul rebuked Peter, one of the twelve first disciples who, according to him, had become reprehensible. That teaches us not to be committed to anyone because if someone behaves differently from the biblical standard we must show them that they are wrong, even though they might be reputed as being a servant of God. Paul says that he resisted Peter face to face (verse 11) and he did not make any gossip regarding what the latter used to do. Paul fulfilled the instructions of our heavenly Father in which He states that we are to turn to that brother that is behaving in a not recommended way for a Christian and give him a reprimand.

If you are sermonised by a servant of God you must accept such censorship. King David was keen on saying that the reprehension from a righteous man is an act of mercy, deemed as oil that one’s head should never reject (Psalm 141:5). Even regarding insignificant issues, if a member of The Body of Christ shows that our behaviour is not in agreement with the Christian conduct, at least, we are to listen to him. But, if the reprimand is unfair we have to show him patiently his error.

Peter’s mistake, in Paul’s point of view, was that of fearing those who had come from James. Up to then he used to be among the newly-converted gentiles as though he was one of them. Nevertheless, when the entourage of those who seemed to rigidly stick to the Jewish rites turned up, Peter sneaked out and, to Paul, that attitude was not one up to a follower of The Lord Jesus. In fact, Peter was giving a bad testimony of the freedom achieved in Christ.

We must be careful not to behave likewise considering that that might turn the newly-converted Christians sad, and even cause those who do not belong to us to speak badly on the work of God. If we are aware that something is not sinful and that that belongs to our freedom in Christ, we must not be intimidated before those who think the opposite way. But, on the other hand, if eating flesh turns a brother weak in faith, Paul himself declared that he would never do so before that man.

Those who serve The Lord need to be careful to have the same conduct before all people, and they should not forget that wisdom is always good. If the worldly women begin wearing clothes which tease men – which causes lust in men – for instance, those who are Christian must not adopt such fashion at all. Abstaining from all form of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22) is a duty of everyone who is welcome in the bosom of the family of God. Everything we do is for the glory of our Father!

Our garments must be white all the time (Ecclesiastes 9:8). Those who serve God have a duty to set always the example of honesty and integrity. In everything we do either by words or acts our God must be glorified.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares