Respect For The Gentiles

 

Our memory verse this week is Rom. 13:7. Our lesson is found in Gal. 2:11-18. In this text, Peter, one of the apostles has been in Antioch with Paul for some time. He has been meeting with and socializing with the Gentile Christians there. When some Jewish Christians come to Antioch from Jerusalem, he withdraws himself from the Gentiles and influences many others to do likewise, including Barnabas. Let’s learn some lessons from this Bible event.

 

• He violated his own conscience and was on the verge of becoming a hypocrite. Peter was the one who had defended the right of the Gentiles to be received fully into the church (Acts 11:1-18). He had himself been fully fellowship them there in Antioch. It is always a sin to violate our own conscience (Rom. 14:22-23). Quite often, when we show disrespect for others, we go against what our own mind tells us is right.

 

• Peter’s disrespect resulted from peer pressure. Human beings so often act in groups or in mobs. We draw strength, especially to do that which is wrong, from others who will encourage or participate in the wrong with us. Think about how many disrespectful acts are participated in by two or more: talking in a class or while worship is going on, showing prejudice toward some person or family, making fun of an acquaintance at school or work. The list could go on. The pressure to act as those we know or like is great, but often wrong and disrespectful.

 

• When we act disrespectful, we influence others to be the same way. In this case, even Barnabas was led away by Peter’s actions. You and I need to be sure that our influences are leading others to be more respectful and obedient to God.

 

• Disrespect is a spiritual matter. It is a violation of the ‘Golden rule’ (Mt. 7:12). It violates the principle to “love thy neighbor as thyself” (Mt. 22:39).

 

• We need to accept rebuke when we are corrected as Peter was by Paul.

 

“Respect begins with me.”

Mike Glenn