In Galatians 2, Apostle Paul had become the biggest advocate for building the church. Building the church on the foundation of Christ. Christ made a new way. Redemption and forgiveness are for everyone, this included the Gentiles. The Jews sought to block Paul in spreading the new gospel. They believed the Gentiles to be unworthy because of the law. The law required circumcision. Christ superseded the law. The law was in the past. Paul was preaching the new way, a better way.
There is a new way
The Jews fought the new way. They desired to keep following the law, the old way. Those not following the law were to be ostracized. Paul and Titus stood their ground. Peter initially stood with Paul and Titus but turned to the other side. Peter caved into the opposition, seeking to conform to man instead of following God. He caved in to peer pressure. He was more fearful of the crowd than God. Peter could not withstand sticking to his principles. He was more concerned with fitting in instead of following Christ. Paul confronted Peter on his hypocrisy, condemning him for seeking to fit in, being a conformer, instead of standing his ground.
Go your way
You are not to conform. You have freedom in Christ Jesus to make your way. Make your way not following the crowd. Be a paver and not a conformer. Go your way. Your way is the way, chosen and determined for you. The way may be rough. There will be opposition. However, it is the way that you must go. Opposition makes your stronger, builds resilience and stamina. Resilience to withstand and stamina to keep going.
Please God not Man
Man is not the one you are seeking to please, it is God. Stay on your path and course that God has determined for you. Stand your ground. Fitting in is not a requirement. The requirement is to be obedient and have faith. Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
