Galatians 2:3-5 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.
To strengthen his case and clarify it for the Galatian churches, Paul relates to them this account of an event that took place before the Jerusalem council. While in Jerusalem, Paul faced opposition to his gospel, especially because Titus was an uncircumcised Gentile. Despite the opposition, and possibly oppression, Titus did not waver in his freedom in Christ that he may demonstrate the righteousness of God’s grace “apart from the Law” (Romans 3:21-22). For this reason, Titus did not give in, in fact because of his confidence in the gospel he was not even “compelled” to face the legalistic demands to be circumcised.
Why did such opposition come to Paul and Titus? There were false brethren who secretly entered the meeting of the council that they might “spy out” the liberty that those in Christ have. They did this not because they were interested in seeing that Christians have freedom from the ritual demands of the Law, but rather to deceive and bring Paul, his companions, and no doubt those to whom Paul had preached into the bondage of the Law.
As Christians, you will inevitably face those who will seek to restrict your freedoms and bring you into all sorts of legalistic bondages. They will try to make demands upon the music you listen to, the television programs you watch, what holidays you celebrate, if you dance, what you eat, what church services you attend, and all sorts of other demands of personal preference. Do not give in to their legalistic demands. Now, I am not saying that you can just do whatever you want to do because you have freedom in Christ. As Christians, you need to have boundaries to keep yourself from stumbling and harming yourself. For example, it really is not okay for Christians to watch something like Desperate Housewives. Now, I do not mean to be a legalist, but this show has nothing that is beneficial (unless you are critiquing it to better understand the culture). While you have the liberty in Christ to do so, it is not beneficial, and it will only tear you down. As Paul says, “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify” (1 Corinthians 10:23). Whatever is pure, wholesome, and edifying, do that and think upon such that you may be edified in Christ and that you may edify the Church (Philippians 4:8 and 1 Corinthians 12:26). Yet you are free to do, as Christians, whatever is from faith and does not gnaw at your conscience or cause another brother/sister to stumble in sin (Romans 14:21-23).
When you are opposed for your liberty, do not give in for the sake of the gospel. The gospel is a message of the freedom in Christ. We have the Spirit, and in the Spirit we have liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). Do not use your liberty to sin (Galatians 5:13), for this will lead you into bondage, not freedom. Rather, stand firm in your freedoms of self-expression and ways to enjoy life that others may see the truth about being in Christ. Many see being in Christ as being in bondage to all sorts of religious dos and don’ts. Let your liberty show that Christ has made you, as a diligent disciple, free by His truth and His Spirit (cf. John 8:31-32). If you give in to legalism, even for an hour (a season) you put the gospel at jeopardy.
The furtherance of the gospel is your reason for combating legalism, not just so that you can be free to do as you please. The gospel is at stake among those to whom you are already a witness and to those with whom you will be a witness. Your responsible actions with your freedom as well as your holding to your freedom are necessary to keep others from falling into sin. It is a straight and narrow line between sinful debauchery and Pharisaic legalism. Yet if you walk in a liberty that could cause others to stumble, you will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment (cf. Romans 14 and Matthew 18:7-9). If you are legalistic and make unnecessary demands upon people, you may cause them to trust in their own righteousness or to preach that such is necessary for salvation to others; and you will be responsible (cf. Matthew 23:15). Be like Paul and Titus who “did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.” Paul was concerned that the Galatians as well as the other churches he had established would maintain a pure gospel; have this same mind in you!
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