Read the Book: April - JuneSample

Week 18

Galatians 2

Necessary Confrontations

Hard conversations are just.. well.. hard. Yes, there are people who make it a personal hobby of confronting others but most of us try to steer clear of confrontation as much as we can. There are many reasons like being allergic to relational tension, not wanting to expend a lot of emotional energy, or not wanting to lose the relationship. But living for the truth of the gospel will inevitably lead us to confront the sinfulness in ourselves, and yes… the sinfulness in others. These types of confrontation will occur because sin is not only a rebellion against the truth but also a force that destroys the human soul and the community of the gospel. We can actually see an example of this in Galatians 2:11-14 when the Apostle Paul gives an account of when he confronted none other than Peter (Cephas) about Peter’s bias of Jewish over Gentile believers when eating together.

Paul doesn’t hold back in this confrontation and opposes Peter “to his face” because he “stood condemned” while leading other Jews down the same road of hypocrisy. What was the main issue that incited so much intensity within Paul? It was because Peter was “not in step with the truth of the gospel.” Peter may have had a right understanding of the gospel but his application of it was weak and narrow. The theological legacy of the early church was at stake and Paul was willing to do the hard but necessary work to keep that gospel legacy intact.

It has been said that a true friend will always be willing to “stab you in the front.” Proverbs 27:6 also reminds us that the wounds of a friend can be trusted. When confrontation comes from a place of sincere concern, properly done (Matt 18:15-20), and with a commitment to biblical truth, then that confrontation can literally impact generations for the glory of God.

Family Connection: Find a pair of gloves. Ask your family what gloves are for. Can the gloves do anything by themselves? No! For the gloves to be useful you have to put them on your hands! Paul says in Galatians, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Sometimes we do really great things and we start to think it is because WE are great! But just like the gloves that can’t do anything without a hand inside, you and I can do nothing without Christ inside.