About 15 years ago my wife and I vacationed in Hawaii. Upon landing, we were asked multiple times by the airport authorities if we were carrying any plants, fruits, vegetables, birds, mammals, or reptiles. We were repeatedly warned, especially about smuggling in a snake—an act that would earn us a hefty fine and time in jail. We had to sign an official document stating we were not hiding contraband items from Florida, but they searched our bags anyway. Thankfully, we were cleared for entry. 

The need to protect a fragile ecosystem from invasive species is understandable. Hawaii is an island and arguably the most remote place on the planet. So anything you bring to Hawaii is staying in Hawaii—for better or for worse. But why so adamant about enforcing the rule—almost rudely?   

As I wondered about our airport experience, Sarah and I began to notice cute little creatures popping out of the trees everywhere we visited on the Big Island. They were curious and annoying, with no healthy fear of humans. Turns out, they were a type of mongoose—a species introduced to Hawaii in the late 1800’s. Sugar cane farmers grew concerned about the destructive rat population and thought they found a solution in the Mongoose. 

So they brought over 72 Mongoose. Hawaiian leaders executed their plan before carefully researching the animal or exploring the risks involved. The Mongoose is dangerous, but not for the reason you might think. They’re famous for their ability to take on powerful venomous snakes, but they’re infamous for destroying native wildlife. Hard lesson for Hawaiians.

The experiment was a disaster. Rats are nocturnal mammals (active at night). Mongoose are diurnal (active during the day). To make matters worse, Mongoose love to eat birds and eggs. Hawaii is the endangered species capital of the world, home to more endangered species per square mile than anywhere else on the planet—especially birds. Mongoose’s favorite exotic dish is the Nene, the Hawaiian state bird.

Mongoose have no natural predator in Hawaii. They sit at the top of the food chain, they’re hard to kill, and they reproduce quickly. In other words, once they enter your beautiful, exotic environment, they stay. You don’t eliminate them. You tolerate them. To say their population is out of control would be an understatement. They’re everywhere. 

Mongoose cost Hawaii over $50 million in damages annually. Those facts put our airport encounter in perspective. Hawaii has no snakes. And they want to keep it that way. Try to smuggle some reptiles onto their Island, and you’re going to jail. Invasive species pose a costly, destructive risk. That’s true of Islands. It’s also true of churches.  

In Galatians, Paul is protecting the beautiful, unique climate of the church from invasive species that threaten the culture. He has detected the presence of a dangerous, animal non-indigenous to the church. He’s being protective, not rude.

The Galatian churches, once beautiful, welcoming, safe, and healthy, are under attack. They’ve let down their guard and left their cultures vulnerable. Paul uses sobering language, letting the churches know how serious their situation has grown. “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.” And, “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” In chapter 4 Paul says He’s “afraid” and “perplexed” about what is taking place. Then he warns them about “biting, devouring, and consuming one another.” Sounds like a toxic culture. And like the Mongoose in Hawaii, it didn’t take long to spread. 

When we tolerate behavior that is “out-of-step” with the Gospel, we invite invasive elements into our culture. Hypocrisy. Suspicion. Pride. Oppression. We resemble the world and forfeit what made us compelling in the first place. 

In chapter 2, Paul recounts how Satan used the apostle Peter to threaten the culture of grace. How subtle. Peter, the rock, the apostle who preached the Gospel on the day of Pentecost and saw thousands converted, now caving to the pressure of the legalists from Jerusalem. Hypocrisy makes its home in Antioch. It spreads to the Jews, then Barnabas. All are carried away by Peter’s example. But Paul isn’t having it.

Paul sees what is happening and takes a stand for the Gospel. He publicly confronts Peter and calls him out. His words are striking “When I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel…” Peter was denying the Gospel—not by his doctrine but by his life! Had you questioned Peter about his belief in Jesus as Lord, virgin birth, authority of Scripture, truth of the resurrection. He would have scored 100%. But it was his conduct that was out-of-step. That’s important. That’s what people see.

Paul’s courage is remarkable, and his approach is surprising. Instead of lecturing Peter about hypocrisy, the fear of man, honestly, and racism—all valid concerns here—he starts talking about Justification by faith alone. What’s going on? 

Paul appears to be preaching the gospel to Peter. Does that strike you as odd? Did Peter lose his salvation? Did he need to be evangelized? What’s Paul doing?

Paul doesn’t waste his time spraying water on the smoke pouring out of the Antioch church. He finds the source of heat. He attacks the fire. He preaches justification by faith alone in Christ alone. That’s the issue—the central issue at stake. It was then, it is now. We’ll see why next week. Until then, if you want to dig deeper, click here.