Daily Reading: Galatians 2
He who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles (Galatians 2.8)
Devotional Thought: In Galatians 2, the Apostle Paul supports the personal nature of his relationship with Christ by appealing to the community in which he lived out his faith. That is the way it is with us. The Church is an indispensable part of our personal faith. The church is the locus of faith’s expression.
While Paul was extremely independent, he still knew how important it was that the Church bless and support his ministry. To safeguard the Truth and to set an example for others to follow, Paul submitted his theology to the understanding of the collective Body. That, dear friends, is extremely important. While our faith is personal, it is not independent of the Church!
A very practical expression of this truth is seen in where we serve. God calls and equips us individually to serve in specific situations. For Paul that meant that his unique calling was to the Gentiles – even though he was “extremely Jewish” by birth and education. Sometimes God surprises us with where he sends us! It also meant that Peter was uniquely called to the Jews. Their ministries were not in opposition to each other, but rather supportive of one another. God desires to have “full coverage” so that all peoples might have opportunity to know him.
What about you? To whom are you an "apostle"? How has God specifically called and equipped you? Who will hear the gospel – and see it in action – because you are following Jesus? Who, if you do not obey, will miss the gospel’s message of hope? I want to encourage you to be open to what God wants to do through you – uniquely.
Prayer: Lord, you have saved me personally, giving me life and hope and peace. But, I am not independent of others. Help me to journey with other believers, to encourage them, and to invite the unsaved to join in the journey! Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 101:1-8
1 I will sing of your love and justice; to you, LORD, I will sing praise.
2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.
3 I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.
4 The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil.
5 Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.
6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me.
7 No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.
8 Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the LORD.
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