We can learn something from Peter and Paul's confrontation here in these verses. Paul basically calls out Peter on his actions. "But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But Afterward, when friends of James came, Peter wouldn't eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision, as a result other Jewish Christians followed Peter's hypocrisy and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy." It's easy to read this and just think okay that's just Bible history Jews vs Gentiles it doesn't mean much today. "I think not Baby Puppy!" Follow me to a typical Sunday potluck, to a church to a school, to a party. Follow me to the world of fear and favoritism. This realm's ruler is a Troll called Fear and Peer Pressure. Now for those of you who don't know what a troll is let me educate you because even WWE Chairman Vince McMahon gets this wrong. Trolls in the Forgotten Realms universe stand about 6 ft tall and they're as strong as all get out, they look like a giant walking stick. The only way to kill a troll is to hack it to pieces and burn it because it's limbs regenerate. Pay attention again to Peter he chose to play favorites with different groups of Christians and others followed his example. I see it happen in the workplace when a manager will treat one employee better than another and they think there is no problem with that. Someone somewhere along the way notices. I know people who become like Peter and turn into a two-faced person. See they play favorites so long they don't even know it. Wake up call time we're taking a little trip in the New Testament for more insight. "Yes indeed it is good when you obey the Royal Law as found in the scriptures: `Love your neighbor as yourself' But if you favor some people over others , you are committing a sin, you are guilty of breaking the law." James 2:8-9. Peter was a leader in the early church and his actions caused others to be led astray. Paul stepped up to the troll of fear and peer pressure Peter had given ground to. And Paul said "This isn't right! The things you're doing are impacting others You need to stand down Peter there's a problem here. ." See we need to learn this here when we are in a group don't play favorites. Don't be 2 faced in your dealings with others. Someone along the way is going to call you out on it and God is going to hold you accountable. Where I work we have a lot of places to sit and it's easy to play favorites and sit only with certain people. I try hard not to stick with one place because I can sit by anyone and I'll do my best to get along I don't play favorites. I have seen it where people will follow another person and won't associate with others due to fear and peer pressure. That's not good God calls us to minister to others if we're too busy only spending time with our favorites we miss out on a ministry opportunity. Step out of your comfort zone this week and let a new person know they matter to God. Fight the troll!
This song reminds us of a simple truth. People need the Lord by Steve Green http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AibBR6j2g54
Reminder number 2 We need Jesus by Petra http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpaJHGKrdDI
Reminder number 3 Heart to God and Hand to man by Geoff Moore and the Distance with back up vocals by Ashley Cleveland. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH8mJwHF_EY
Keep your heart and motives pure before God. Search my Heart by Hillsong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mqKT21HqqQ
Then let your love for God pour out. From the inside out/song to sing and With everything by Hillsong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92QFcpy0XC4
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