Galatians 2:11-21 Grace for Hypocrites and Failures

07/10/2022 39 min

Listen "Galatians 2:11-21 Grace for Hypocrites and Failures"

Episode Synopsis

In this week's message from our fall RUF Large Group series on Galatians, Paul argues that the freedom we have through Jesus is so good that it even extends to the ways we mess up after coming to faith.  Our acceptance by God in Christ is not improved by our good deeds, nor is it undone by our disobedience. The gospel means that a Christian can fail, but not be a failure. 
“As we sin daily, so he justifies daily, and we must daily go to him for it. Justification is an ever-running fountain, and therefore we cannot look to have all the water at once. “—William Fenner
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Read v. 11-14. What does Paul mean when he says Peter and the others were “not in step with the truth of the gospel?”

Review Acts 10. What were the truths here that Peter seemed to be afraid to stand up for in Antioch? Why were these truths so important to Paul and to the other leaders of the Gentile churches?

(v. 12) Are there others around you that you’re not extending friendship to because they’re not “like you?”What kind of false righteousness lies behind this attitude?

(v. 16-17) How does the acceptance we have in the gospel motivate you to change this behavior in ways that guilt cannot?

How would you explain the difference between being morally good and being a Christian, to someone who thinks being good makes them acceptable to God?