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?” (Galatians 2:14, ESV).

In our last blog, we discussed how Peter (Cephas) succumbed to the need for approval—a people-pleasing attitude that led him into hypocrisy. Paul stands up to him. “If you, being a Jew, live like a Gentile, as in live in freedom without the restrictions of the law, and you were having a good time, you were blessed by it, and now despite knowing that it is the truth of the gospel, why are you compelling the Gentiles to live like the Jews?”. In short, Paul’s calling Peter a hypocrite.

Where did Peter err?

Peter Knew the Truth

Peter knew the fundamental truth that we are not justified by works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16). Once in Christ, our lives are no longer determined by legalistic adherence to the law. This gospel truth had already been revealed to Peter—most notably when Jesus addressed the issue at Cornelius’s house (see Acts 10–11). The mandate was clear: those who are in Christ, are not under the law. Every believer, Jew or Gentile, is one in Christ.

Peter knew the truth much earlier than Paul. The message was clear-that they had to reach out to the Gentiles. Even Jesus when he had commissioned them to preach had said to go to Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the world. Yet, he didn’t want to stir the pot. Peter knew the truth and yet he was not straightforward (lit. Walking uprightly. The word is ortho(straight) podeo (feet). To walk straight one needs a spine). In doing so, he not only compromised his own integrity but also misled those he was meant to minister to.

Grace and Freedom is The Truth

Grace is the truth of the gospel. But there has been a lot of bad-mouthing on grace, as the moment someone emphasizes grace, everyone is up in arms saying “he is saying that we can go on sinning”.

What?!!

That is the opposite of what grace does. The law was all about trying to get us to live right by showing us the consequences. But grace is all about showing us who we are, and the more we realize who we are, we would not want to sin. When we are sin-conscious, we end up sinning more, because living sin-conscious is a derivative of the law. But grace takes all sin-consciousness away from a believer, because they are righteous conscious. Even secular research supports this.

This idea is supported even by secular research. In Atomic Habits, James Clear argues that to change our behavior, we must first change our beliefs about ourselves (Clear, 2018).

Not One size fits all attitude

We need to be straightforward about the truth of the gospel. Live in freedom. While believers enjoy freedom in Christ, that liberty should be exercised with responsibility and sensitivity toward others. For example, Paul teaches in passages like 1 Corinthians 8:9 and Romans 14:13 that our freedom shouldn’t become a stumbling block for those who might be weaker in their faith. In other words, even though we’re free to make choices, we should be careful that our actions don’t lead others into sin or cause them to question their own walk with God. This balanced view of freedom calls for loving consideration of others—a freedom that builds up rather than harms the community.

The difference between Peter’s and Paul’s approach is clear. Peter’s inconsistent behavior was driven by fear—by a desire to avoid conflict and gain approval. In contrast, Paul’s above exhortation is motivated by love. If you notice that your exercise of freedom might cause someone else to fall, pause and consider your motives. Are you acting out of a desire for personal comfort, or are you faithfully upholding the truth of the gospel in love? To be straightforward about the gospel means to walk in love and speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15, ESV).

Conclusion

Grace is the greatest truth. It is by grace that we are in Christ, and we have an inheritance. However, I’ll say from experience, most of the time, you will be pressured to live directly or indirectly by the law. Many will try to live Christian life based on “do nots”. If not convinced, go to any random church goer and ask them who they think is the most powerful preacher, and most likely they will talk about a preacher who keeps rebuking the church, warns regarding the wrath of God and judgement, angry and livid at the believers. And the worst preachers? Of course, the ones who say that we are not under the law.

How will you live your life in this constant pressure? Will you stand for it, and live in freedom, or succumb in people-pleasing.