galatians 2:11-21

paul opposes peter
.. know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. so we too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

what is faith to me?
convictions? my very own convictions? have i already realized what it is? to dance? to reach out to people? administration? teaching? before one has the faith, one has to step into the 'sea' first. faith, is trusting God to make things right. to know that God has a better plan out there for me. that through troubled times, He is there.
then what is human laws?
restrictions and limitations of the human brains? social norms and pop culture? sometimes, human's way of life dont necessary follow the gospel. the biggest teaching of the gospel is, to me, beside knowing Jesus Christ is my saviour, loving thy neighbors. though emotionally, i can detest and despise certain people because, perhaps they are not how the society is, spiritually, i shouldnt and if i really learn to love them in the name of Jesus, emotionally, i'll be able to? is it a psychological thing? or is it the power of the holy spirit granted to all of us after the death of Jesus? so what? if people don't accept me for who i am? what really matter is "loving everyone" and being only accountable to God.

for through the law i died to the law so that i might live for God. i have been crucified with Christ and i no longer live, but Christ lives in me. the life i live in the body, i live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself to me. i do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

not being right in the eyes of human but right in the eyes of God.
am i now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? or am i trying to please men? of i were trying to please men, i would not be a servant of Christ.

i guess. to be it blatantly. to say "i do not care for the approval of people" in defence of myself and "i do not care" because i should only seek God's approval have two different kind of feelings. for one, i no longer have bitterness in my heart but peace.

the most important thing to learn from the beginning of this week, is that social expectations and rules are not necessary what God set too, and that it should not matter, if people judge me, as long as what i do, is pleasing to God. and the first thing i can think of that is pleasing to God and relevant to the things i faced this week, is to love the people around me and in my life.

this is definitely going to be difficult.

samquek