Everywhere we turn we see a world of hurt filled with hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness. We see the message of “self” being spread. So often across social media, in television shows and movies, on radios blaring in the form of popular music we are bombarded with “self-love”, “self-care”, “protecting oneself”. We find a world that expects a certain way of treatment for oneself but not for those around them. We also live in a society that promotes “calling” people out when they do something wrong. Yet, we do not hold ourselves to the same standards that we want to hold others to. Even more disturbing is the fact that when we mess up, we expect people to be forgiving and understand that we can make mistakes but if they too make a mistake, we are unwilling to give them the same courtesy.

This behavior makes us hypocrites. There is a story in the Bible where Paul calls Peter out for being a hypocrite. In Galatians 2:11-21 there is a situation where Peter has engaged in behavior that Paul deems unacceptable for a Christian. Galatians 2:12-13 When he first arrived, he ate with gentile believers who were uncircumcised. But afterwards, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.
This story shows us how hypocrisy can anger people and lead others astray. It is the slippery slope that can lead a whole group of people down the wrong path. These kinds of situations can allow discrimination, prejudice, judgement and hatred take firm grasps and wreak havoc on people. It is the pathway that leaves people to feel left out, ostracized and despised. Yet Paul had the courage to call Peter out.

What Paul did not do after he called him out was turn around and do the same thing as Peter. He also did not treat Peter cruelly or without mercy. Paul called Peter out in love. The hate being distributed made Paul angry because that was not the message God wanted portrayed. Paul reminded Peter that Christ was the only way for us to be made right with God in Galatians 2:16 Yet we know that a person is right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law. But why would someone do this? Why would someone not stand for what they know is right?

Often people are scared, like Peter, of the criticism or judgement they may receive from their peers. Other times selfishness prevails and causes people to think more highly of themselves than they do of other. The expect a certain amount of respect while refusing to offer that gift to someone else. However, whether it be fear, selfishness or whatever other reason we have to understand that it is not what the Lord wanted us to do. We are commanded to treat people well and love them. Luke 6:31-32 Do to others as you would like them to do to you. If you only love those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! Yet today we see situations where people are loved and still treat those that love them poorly.

It breaks my heart to see a world so full of hatred for one another. A world so riddled with selfishness. A world where people are so hurt they know no other way than to hurt others as they have been hurt. But this is not the path God wanted for humans. He never wanted us to be burdened with hate and hurt. We were always commanded to love, to act justly and mercifully with one another. Micah 6:8 Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.

We cannot continue to move around one another in ways that bring more hurt and pain. We must learn to think of others. We must learn to treat others with the love and respect we would want for ourselves. Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Do not let the world of hurt harden your hearts with hate. Lean on God and allow him to heal your wounds. Allow him to show you the everlasting love that fills you with joy and peace. On our path to live a Jesus filled life let us begin to heal and trust God. Let us allow Jesus to fill us with his love so that we may spread it around the world and let the light of Jesus shine through each of us.

I pray we all find peace and comfort in a world full of turmoil. I pray we all turn to God in our moments of fear and always stand on what is right and pleasing before him. May the Lord Bless each of you and keep you! With Love Always!