I have been listening to, and studying the book of Galatians. I usually spend about 2 to 3 weeks in a chapter and then move on. I was reflecting on Peter's life as a disciple/apostle of Jesus as I listened to chapter 2. At our family devotion time we began to make a list of the stories we knew about Peter. Here was our list:
- A zealot for Jewish nationalism
- A fisherman by trade
- Professes Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God
- Called Satan by Jesus
- Walked on water
- Cut off the soldier's ear
- Denied Christ
- Saw 3000 people surrender their lives to Christ at Pentecost
- Taught by God to treat the Gentiles as equals. Visits Cornelius.
Now look at what Paul says in Galatians 2 about Peter's life some 14 years later. He made a doctrinal turn away from grace, because he feared the reaction of some influential men. For this, Paul strongly rebukes him, but some verses earlier he says this of Peter:
On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles.
Paul affirms his ministry, yet has no tolerance for Peter's compromise on the issue of grace.
It is heartening to know that a man who walked with Jesus, won thousands to the Lord and had a fruit filled ministry, was still struggling with the concept of grace. When in pride, I think that I am beginning to understand the depths of God's grace in Christ Jesus, I take pause, and realize I am only wading in that deep pool just as Peter was.
Tags: Peter, Grace, Galatians
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