1. The Lure of Legalism

2. Being a Christian is about accepting God’s grace and faithfully living for God – let that be the standard for yourself and others.

3. Galatians 2:1-5 The Gentile Christians do NOT need to be circumciced. God’s approval – they have the Holy Spirit. The Gentile Christians do NOT need to be circumciced. God’s approval – they have the Holy Spirit.

5. Diaspora Struggle: “Hebraic” Jews – continued to live exactly by the cultural laws of the Old Testament. “Hellenistic” Jews – lived the moral code of the OT, but dressed like Greeks, and some other customs. Gentile converts – got circumcised and became culturally Jewish. Gentile “God-fearers” – obeyed the moral laws, but not the cultural laws. “Hebraic” Jews – continued to live exactly by the cultural laws of the Old Testament. “Hellenistic” Jews – lived the moral code of the OT, but dressed like Greeks, and some other customs. Gentile converts – got circumcised and became culturally Jewish. Gentile “God-fearers” – obeyed the moral laws, but not the cultural laws.

6. Galatians 2:1-5 You do not need to be culturally Jewish to be FULLY Christian. (Cf. 3:28) God has FULLY accepted (“justified”) everyone who comes to Him through Jesus. 1. Beware of cultural legalism. You do not need to be culturally Jewish to be FULLY Christian. (Cf. 3:28) God has FULLY accepted (“justified”) everyone who comes to Him through Jesus. 1. Beware of cultural legalism.

7. Galatians 2:6-10 Keep preaching – GO! Continue to care for the poor. Keep preaching – GO! Continue to care for the poor.

8. Galatians 2:11-14 The food laws are not binding anymore – even for Jews. Problem – Peter is either saying: –The Cross was not necessary. –The Cross was not enough. 2. Lose legalism before you confront others. The food laws are not binding anymore – even for Jews. Problem – Peter is either saying: –The Cross was not necessary. –The Cross was not enough. 2. Lose legalism before you confront others.

9. Galatians 2:11-14 2.Lose legalism before you confront others. Only confront on a key issue. “On the essentials unity, on the non-essentials freedom, in all things love.” (Augustine) Freedom for a Christian does not mean we do everything we want – it means God has set us free from our own desires to faithfully live for Christ, fully devoted followers. 2.Lose legalism before you confront others. Only confront on a key issue. “On the essentials unity, on the non-essentials freedom, in all things love.” (Augustine) Freedom for a Christian does not mean we do everything we want – it means God has set us free from our own desires to faithfully live for Christ, fully devoted followers.

10. Galatians 2:15-21 Cultural laws not for Gentiles (circumcision, food, calendar) – they are fully accepted by God. Those laws also not binding on Jews now – a new covenant in Jesus – living in the Holy Spirit. The rules themselves are not how we are right with God – God accepts us by His grace, and we live right with Him out of love, following the Holy Spirit. Cultural laws not for Gentiles (circumcision, food, calendar) – they are fully accepted by God. Those laws also not binding on Jews now – a new covenant in Jesus – living in the Holy Spirit. The rules themselves are not how we are right with God – God accepts us by His grace, and we live right with Him out of love, following the Holy Spirit.

11. Galatians 2:15-21 “Works of the Law” –Specifically circumcision, food, calendar. –Generally to all effort to earn God’s acceptance. We do need to obey – a response of love. The Judaizing Christians in Galatia – turning God’s love into legalism. “Works of the Law” –Specifically circumcision, food, calendar. –Generally to all effort to earn God’s acceptance. We do need to obey – a response of love. The Judaizing Christians in Galatia – turning God’s love into legalism.

12. Galatians 2:15-21 “For through law I died in law, so that I might live in God!” (v.19) My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 2:20 “For through law I died in law, so that I might live in God!” (v.19) My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 2:20

13. Galatians 2:15-21 3. Surrender your self-legalism to God’s grace. Accept His Acceptance. God is not a legalist – we are. God’s dream for us and others – more life, joy, peace, freedom, love! 3. Surrender your self-legalism to God’s grace. Accept His Acceptance. God is not a legalist – we are. God’s dream for us and others – more life, joy, peace, freedom, love!