Galatians 2:1-2. 1Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek.
In sharing his story, Paul fast-forwards fourteen years. During that time, Paul ended up at the church in Antioch with Barnabas. Together, they trained the Diaspora saints who had gathered there. Then, the Antioch church sent Paul and Barnabas out as missionaries to Galatia, where the church of Jesus Christ was brought to life through the gospel they proclaimed.
When the Judaizers infiltrated the church of Antioch—teaching that Gentile believers must also adhere to the Law of Moses, including circumcision—Paul, Barnabas, and Titus went to Jerusalem to try to settle this matter once and for all. Paul needed to make sure that he was not running in vain. He did not need a confirmation of his gospel (see ch. 1); he needed a repudiation of the Judaizers.
You can read about the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. This council was a crossroads for the early church: Would the demands of the law be required for the Gentiles or not? What did Jesus teach us? What is his gospel? It was Peter who stood up at the council and proclaimed the sufficiency of the good news.
Acts 15:10–11: 10Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the [Gentile] disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11But we believe that we (Jews) will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they (Gentiles) will.
The gospel we proclaim must require no preconditions. Take Titus, for example. This Greek living in Antioch received Christ and lived free from sin and self-righteousness. He was set free from every burden to perform and every shame when he failed. And so are you. No circumcision or any other work of the law was required for Titus, nor is it required for you. So, why do we still try to put conditions on grace?
Union with Christ never comes with preconditions. But it does come with the power to change, the power of freedom, and the life of faith it provokes. Is that the gospel you’re proclaiming? I pray it is.
You: What pre-conditions do you tend to place on God’s grace?
You in Christ: How does union with Christ reject a performance-based faith?
Christ in you: Where might Christ in you proclaim the gospel of grace and freedom today?
Pray: Father, help me to stand up to false gospels that offer pre-conditions to your love. Help me proclaim the gospel of grace alone in Christ alone. Amen.
To Live is Christ 