What subconscious factors must be fulfilled before accepting others into your life? Do you automatically mark them off your list because of how they look? Is their appearance gothic, sensual, poor, rich, etc? Do they have a reputation for behavior that is frowned upon by the public? Do you fear the ramifications of what others may think if they saw you with them? What and how should we reach out to others who are totally opposite of us? We all have standards that we have chosen to live by, and usually, we select our company based on those standards. Do you see people as God does, or are you looking for those who fit your Christian profile?
In Galatians 2:1-3, Paul is in Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus. Titus was a Greek Christian. Therefore, he was not circumcised as the Jews’ custom was for a person to be in the church.
Galatians 2:1-3 “Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 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. But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:”
In verse 4, Paul talks about those who were false brethren. These were men who were secretly brought into the church to undermine the message of grace and freedom in Jesus Christ. They wanted laws like circumcision to be enforced as a requirement to be a Christian. Most think this is the same meeting as in Acts 15:1. For those steeped in religion, led by the laws instead of the Spirit, accepting grace alone as the means of salvation was hard. Yet this is precisely what Paul also addressed in Ephesians 2:8-9. Throughout Paul’s writings, this circumcised Jew, law keeper before Christ, makes it profoundly clear that salvation is by grace alone.
Galatians 2:4 “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:”
Act 15:1 “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
While you read this and think it does not apply to you, think again. How do you treat those who are in poverty, those who are saved out of a life of addictions, or those who dress in clothes you would never wear to church? Do you go out of your way to fellowship with those who profess Christ yet have habits unbecoming of a Christian? James takes us to another level in chapter 2. He strongly condemns showing preference to anyone. When each of us comes to Jesus, we come with baggage of some sort. If you were raised in a Christian home, you will not understand the struggle of those who had no one to teach them of the things of God.
While God wants our lives to change after we are saved, we must show grace and love people where they are. God does not focus on the external but the internal. While the external should exhibit the internal, it will take time for the new Christian to change. It does not matter if they are rich or poor, lived a wicked lifestyle before salvation, or were raised in a strict Christan home, God sees each saved person as His child. These people who are so different are our brothers and sisters. While there are many things Christians should aspire to change as they grow in their faith, we must love them and allow the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts for change. When we want them to be like us before we will invite them into our homes or fellowship with them, we are no different than the Jews that were imposing the mosaic law on the New Testament Christians. When there are things that the Bible is clear on that a Christian should not do, we need to teach them and allow the Holy Spirit to change them, not us. While there will always be those you have more in common with in the body, we are to be loving and accepting of all who have been saved by grace. There should never be a division of Christians because of their status as a baby or an elder in Christ. Love like Jesus! This is our command and responsibility if we are ever going to make a difference in this world.
James 2:1-4 “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that wears the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”
James 2:8-9 “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”
