Galatians 2:6-10 says,...
Today's verses are Galatians 2:6-10, which read,
v.6 - But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)--well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me.
Paul was chosen by God, called by God, commissioned by God, coached by God, co-commissioned by God through the leaders of the 1st century Christian church (Peter and James), combined by God with Barnabas, and yesterday under the submission of the counsel of God through the leaders of the 1st century Christian church (Peter, James, and John).
Paul presented to them the gospel that he was preaching that is faith in Christ alone and nothing else added to it. It is "only" Jesus and not Jesus "and" this other thing you need to do to get salvation. After presenting this to them of "...high reputation...," they had nothing to add. Paul put himself under their Godly counsel.
v.7-9 - But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Peter, James, and John confirmed that what Paul was preaching was the true gospel. Paul put himself in this place to seek out this counsel and because of it he was given even more support from the leaders of the church. "...the right hand of fellowship,..." was a solemn vow of friendship and a mark of partnership, so the leaders were giving full support to Paul and Barnabas' efforts. When Paul faced opposition about what he was preaching and doing, he sought counsel of the church to make sure he was on track.
v.10 - They only asked us to remember the poor--the very thing I also was eager to do.
Peter, James, and John did give some counsel to Paul and Barnabas. "When you are out preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, make sure to provide also for the poor." They had first hand knowledge of this because when the church started in Jerusalem they had to pool their resources to provide for those who were coming to the gospel. Because of the gospel a person's status could change and they could have been put out by their family that was not Christian.
Also, I think it is a temptation to share the gospel with people who are just like us and therefore not reach out with the gospel to those who we of our world's lower economic status. Paul and Barnabas were well educated and from well to do families. They would probably have gravitated to those like themselves and maybe related to them better because of similar lifestyles and upbringing. "Reach out Paul to those who are not like you." I think this instruction can be taken both ways, to care for the poor and to share the gospel with the poor.
Two powerful lessons today.
The first is to seek the counsel of Godly men and women who you know with matters about your walk with the Lord. These are people who you can sit down with and share your heart with.
The second is to realize that because of the gospel, there will be people who will become poor by the world's standards and might need your physical help. There are also those who are poor who we can touch just as Jesus did when He walked the earth. Those who are poor need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and so don't hinder the message from getting to them.
"Lord, how I like to make my own decisions and run on my own thoughts and not stop to get counsel from those Godly people that you have put around me. I am missing the added support that they could give to what I am doing through You. Also, Lord, help me see those physically in need, those in need because of the gospel, and those who need the gospel in spite of their physical condition. Help me not to pass them by. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.6 - But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)--well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me.
Paul was chosen by God, called by God, commissioned by God, coached by God, co-commissioned by God through the leaders of the 1st century Christian church (Peter and James), combined by God with Barnabas, and yesterday under the submission of the counsel of God through the leaders of the 1st century Christian church (Peter, James, and John).
Paul presented to them the gospel that he was preaching that is faith in Christ alone and nothing else added to it. It is "only" Jesus and not Jesus "and" this other thing you need to do to get salvation. After presenting this to them of "...high reputation...," they had nothing to add. Paul put himself under their Godly counsel.
v.7-9 - But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Peter, James, and John confirmed that what Paul was preaching was the true gospel. Paul put himself in this place to seek out this counsel and because of it he was given even more support from the leaders of the church. "...the right hand of fellowship,..." was a solemn vow of friendship and a mark of partnership, so the leaders were giving full support to Paul and Barnabas' efforts. When Paul faced opposition about what he was preaching and doing, he sought counsel of the church to make sure he was on track.
v.10 - They only asked us to remember the poor--the very thing I also was eager to do.
Peter, James, and John did give some counsel to Paul and Barnabas. "When you are out preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, make sure to provide also for the poor." They had first hand knowledge of this because when the church started in Jerusalem they had to pool their resources to provide for those who were coming to the gospel. Because of the gospel a person's status could change and they could have been put out by their family that was not Christian.
Also, I think it is a temptation to share the gospel with people who are just like us and therefore not reach out with the gospel to those who we of our world's lower economic status. Paul and Barnabas were well educated and from well to do families. They would probably have gravitated to those like themselves and maybe related to them better because of similar lifestyles and upbringing. "Reach out Paul to those who are not like you." I think this instruction can be taken both ways, to care for the poor and to share the gospel with the poor.
Two powerful lessons today.
The first is to seek the counsel of Godly men and women who you know with matters about your walk with the Lord. These are people who you can sit down with and share your heart with.
The second is to realize that because of the gospel, there will be people who will become poor by the world's standards and might need your physical help. There are also those who are poor who we can touch just as Jesus did when He walked the earth. Those who are poor need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and so don't hinder the message from getting to them.
"Lord, how I like to make my own decisions and run on my own thoughts and not stop to get counsel from those Godly people that you have put around me. I am missing the added support that they could give to what I am doing through You. Also, Lord, help me see those physically in need, those in need because of the gospel, and those who need the gospel in spite of their physical condition. Help me not to pass them by. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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