QT
James SungJin Park
Calling someone out!
If you ask the question, who was the better disciple of the 12.........Most people would select John, Paul (not an disciple but a great candidate nevertheless), James and many others ahead of Peter... I think Peter would be selected just before Judas. But I sort of like bro Peter. I sympathize with him. He's that guy in many ways than not misunderstood by many. He might have those“ideal” apostle-like characteristics and compared to the other three mentioned above but if you asked me who would I have on my side going out to the streets of Manhattan...I would pick Peter any day of the week and some more. If Peter was born a Korean living in NYC and attending NFC... he would be that “교회 오빠” that made a complete 180 transformation after he met Christ, serves the body of chrit with all his heart but can't shake off that stigma of being emotional, ill tempered and prideful. That probably makes him not desirable.....ineligible for marriage by the standards of today's sistas. This Peter probably got caught denouncing Christ by other church members which earned him a permanent ticket to a life of solitude but SERIOUSLY... who eading this here hasn't at least done so yourselves at least three times?
OOPS! Today's QT is not Peter and I have gone off track yet again.
Anywhoo.... in today's passage we see Paul calling out Cephas in front of everyone. First thought that occurred to me was...was this the only way? Why not just take Cephas aside and be like.... Bro, I love you man but what you did and doing is no good. Feel me? Paul is known to be the smart and wiser pf the two and at the beginning I found a hard time understanding his motive. Did Cephas not eating with the gentiles deserve such scolding and humiliation in front of many? Was Paul trying to show everyone that he was the better man of Christ of the two? What's the deal here?
And my man Peter!!! Times like this makes it so hard for me to defend Peter and times like this I wish I could just go back to time and give him a slap on the back of his head! He was the first to preach the gospel and the first to baptise the non Jews....this was an extraordinary thing that Cephas wa doing! Despite all the objections, criticisms and possibly many threats for his life, Cephas went ahead and did it anyways. But then..why on earth would he just stop fellowship (eating dinner) with the gentiles? Why fearlessly start it only to back right out?
OMIT [personal thoughts and feelings]
Through today's QT, God let me realize some important points.
Although I start fiercely because I am a man indebted to Christ, it seems that I don't fully trust Christ. As soon as anything negative comes my way, I would turn my ways against HIM; I denounce Christ just as Cephas did but worse.
Growing up in the church and seeing leaders go at it with each other so much....I have this habit of just대충 대충 너머가for the sake of peace with other brothers and sisters. I got to think that this was Christ like. Not that I am going to fire back at every instant but rather love the person disagreeing with you. During bible study with Pastor John he said something that I will always take into heart. “For the sake of Christ” Is not about me...I am a servant of Christ, it's not how much or how well I do but rather it's about being that instrument called to be used for HIS Kingdom just as it is in Heave and that folks is God's grace.
Have a great night everyone and see you all on Lord's day