Good Morning! Thomas Jefferson said; "I will sacrifice everything but principle to produce harmony." As my friend Mrs. Al Dortch, pointed out the other day, there comes a time when we need to confront fellow believers concerning attitudes or habits inconsistent with being a Christian. This confrontation does not always come easy, or have any immediate, positive result. But it still remains our obligation to speak-up, and speak-out.
When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.—Galatians 2:11-13 (NIV)
Peter began to "draw back." The words literally mean to "take in sail." Paul likened Peter to a sailor who, having once opened his sail to catch every breeze, deliberately hauls it in and thus stops his forward movement. For this inconsistency Paul confronts Peter and charges him with hypocrisy and failed leadership. Paul stood his ground in the face of the powerful Jewish presence. Peter's actions were not consistent with his theology. He didn't "walk the talk." He agreed with Paul that there was one gospel for both Jew and Gentile, for everyone. He demonstrated his conversion to this gospel by joining in a meal with non-Jewish believers. However, when the false teachers came to town, he withdrew from the Gentiles and joined the exclusive fellowship of the Jews, leaving the impression that some of the "do's and don'ts" of the Jewish traditions were still important for salvation.
Christian confrontation is necessary,...when foundational truths are seriously compromised.
Holy Spirit of God, give us the courage to confront one another, as followers of Christ, with tough love when a fellow believer is wrong. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
"Love ,...no matter what."
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