From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, Mar 18, 2024 at 5:52 AM

Subject: 3-18-24 THOUGHTS

3-18-24   THOUGHTS    

The New Testament is filled with little “corrective events” where we are to learn.  We read of one such event this morning.  The power of Paul to publicly chastise Peter is almost frightening.  The challenge is that “they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel...”  God’s Spirit does not record Peter’s response to Paul’s rebuke.  That is strange in the public disagreement of two strong men!  I like to think that both Paul and Peter together humbly taught a great truth of the gospel in a very straightforward  way!  I believe they were stronger friends and joint participants in the Church after this.  Verse 20 sets the reading!  My willful death to Christ Jesus is fundamental to my life in Christ Jesus!  It’s an everyday crossroads!  Who lives today, me,  or CHRIST?  It determines who I am, and who I am determines my eternity!

Gal 2:11-21    But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.  12  For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. 13  The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14  But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel,  I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? 15  "We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles;  16  nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.  17  "But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be!  18  "For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.  19  "For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. 20  "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21  "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."

My Prayer:
O Father, teach us to put to death our selfish nature.  May Christ live in us, and be our life!   May the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life be overcome in us by our knowledge of Your salvation.  Give us a zeal in our hearts to draw near and abide in You.  Awaken us and make us alive as we boldly and powerfully seek eternity with You.  May we daily speak the Good News of Jesus and Him crucified for us.       In the name of our Savior,   Amen.