Scripture
“Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.” Galatians 2:4-5 ESV
Observation
It seems that Paul is mentioning here that situation where some people were forcing gentiles to be circumcised once they become Christian.
Paul said that those people were trying to take away the freedom that Jesus brought us. They were trying to put us back into slavery.
So he fought to preserve the trough of the gospel for us.
Application
Paul had the wisdom to see the danger of those teachings could bring into the church.
Jesus came to bring us freedom! Jesus did not free us from one religion or culture to makes us slave into another system.
At that time, Paul was fighting against the circumcision or other aspects of the Jewish culture/religion that they were trying to bring into the church.
What are the things inside today’s church that some people use it in order to slave us?
What are the heavy burdens that people are expecting you to carry in order to be accepted?
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
Prayer
Thank you Jesus for this wonderful Friday. Thank you for the freedom you brought into my life. Help me to see whatever is trying to take away this freedom and fight against it, like Paul did, in order to preserve the truth of the gospel. In your name, I pray.
