Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 97-99; Galatians 2
Devotional Thought:
Confrontation is never easy, but it is sometimes necessary. Here in chapter two, Paul is explaining the ministry of Peter to the Jews and how his ministry was specifically different in that he was sent to the Gentiles. The Jews felt that it was important and necessary to separate themselves from the world by being circumcised. Paul did not have a problem with this as Peter was striving to reach this culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, the problem came with the Judaizers who were adding circumcision to their salvation. They sought to discredit Paul and no doubt attacked his education, experience, and exposition. However, Paul was confident in his education. He had spent over three years in the desert with the greatest teacher of all time, the Lord Jesus. However, the other apostles as well as these carnal Judaizers were not there to witness it or experience it. If there were a compare game going on, Paul would have won that game as well. The other apostles (disciples) had been in a classroom with Jesus for over three years, while He was personally tutoring Paul for the same period of time. Paul was not in a debate with the other apostles, but he did feel the need to give credibility to his apostleship and ministry. Paul lacked no confidence in his miraculous call, unique message, or the grace of God. In verse 11, Paul saw the need to correct and confront Peter regarding his misunderstanding and misinterpretation of God’s program to the Gentiles. “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.” I fear Christians today have been guilty of doing the same things to other Christians that Peter was trying to do to Paul and the Gentile Christians. We often add to what scripture says in order to get people to comply and conform to what we do rather than what God has said. We add to scripture our own preferences and equate them as equal with what God has said. Paul tells Peter, “For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.” (vs. 18-19) Paul refused to let Peter, James, or any other person put him back in bondage to that which Christ conquered or fulfilled. Therefore, Paul says, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (vs. 20) Paul’s private meeting with these leaders shows us how confrontation should be done. We should not go on a crusade if people do not see things our way, and we do not have liberty to frustrate the grace of God. We do not have liberty to include others in order to provide leverage to make people see things our way. That carnal manipulation leads to envy, strife, and division. Even in confrontation, we must commit ourselves to exalting the Lord Jesus and bringing glory to His name.
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to be bold to stand up for the truth, but also help me to be gracious and patience in my approach, demeanor, and attitude.
• Lord, please help me to be willing to confront when necessary. Help me to know the right way, the right place, and the right time to deal with those who need to be confronted.
• Lord, please help me to discern the difference between what you have clearly said and what my preferences are so I present these issues accurately and appropriately.