Kingdom Tension Part 10
At Keys Vineyard Church, we are presenting a series called ‘Kingdom Tension,’ which we post here on Online Bible Institute.
As we continue in our Kingdom Tension series this week, we are going to talk about what it means to live the crucified life.
Galatians 2:11-13 (NIV)
11 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
Galatians 2:11–21 gives us a vivid account of a moment of confrontation between two spiritual giants: Paul and Peter. When Peter visited Antioch, Paul confronted him publicly for his hypocrisy. Peter had previously eaten with Gentile believers, embracing their full inclusion in the body of Christ. However, when a group of Jewish Christians associated with James arrived, Peter began to withdraw from the Gentiles out of fear of judgment from the circumcision group. His behavior sent a damaging message that Gentiles needed to adopt Jewish customs, like circumcision and law-keeping, to be truly accepted by God. Sadly, even Barnabas, Paul’s trusted partner, was influenced by Peter’s inconsistency.
This story highlights the very real possibility that even seasoned leaders like Peter struggle with fear, inconsistency, and the lingering pride of the “old self.” Peter’s life serves as a case study in spiritual growth. It took time and correction for the “old I” to be crucified. Peter’s actions, though regrettable, were included in Scripture as a powerful reminder that spiritual maturity involves a continual dying to self.
Peter’s fear-driven compromise echoed a previous moment in his life at Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16). After boldly confessing Jesus as the Christ, Peter quickly tried to stop Jesus from going to the cross. Jesus responded harshly, saying, “Get behind me, Satan!” because Peter was resisting the path of sacrifice. This moment revealed that Peter, like many of us, sought resurrection power without the pain of crucifixion.
Jesus made it clear: following Him requires taking up our own cross. We must die to pride, self-promotion, fear of people, and comfort-seeking. The “old I” must be crucified. Paul captures this truth beautifully later in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
Galatians 2 teaches that the life of a follower of Jesus is a call to a crucified life; a life surrendered to grace, rooted in faith, and lived without hypocrisy. The cross is not just Christ’s story; it must become ours. We are not saved by pretending to be good or by adding religious duties. We are saved by grace through faith, and we must live that truth boldly, even when it’s uncomfortable.
This weekend at Keys Vineyard Church, we will discuss all this and more, so be sure to join us in person or online.
Steve Lawes is a pastor at Keys Vineyard Church and also the founder of the Online Bible Institute Network.
