October 13, 2024

Passage Read: Galatians 1-2
Meditation Verses: 2:11-14

Thought

Two things here: One, how easy it is to be pulled back into old ways when others who are in the grip of those old ways come along; two, leaders who fall into sin need to be publicly rebuked for the benefit of all. Peter had no problem fellowshipping freely with the Gentile believers until fellow Jews came from Jerusalem, Jews who still held firmly to Jewish ways, sadly including the belief that Gentiles were unclean. So he pulled back from the Gentiles, and even led Barnabas astray. So Paul publicly rebuked him, that all would be on notice that such behavior is wrong, as confirmed by the recent council in Jerusalem. He made sure to establish the teaching in practice in the presence of all.

Application

We are so concerned about embarrassing people, that we compromise truth for the benefit of sinful people's feelings. No thought is given to God's feelings or His concerns for the good of His people. Leaders who should know the truth should be publicly rebuked for the good of all, as a warning to others who may be tempted into the same things and as an encouragement to those who are trying to walk in right ways and may be confused by the "authorities'" wrong behavior. If something is wrong by Scriptural standards, then it is wrong for me, no matter what position I hold. It is also wrong for anyone else, no matter what position they hold. A leader in the church who practices some sin needs to be rebuked publicly, for the benefit of all. There is perhaps no sin in choosing to speak privately with the individual first, but if they sin publicly, and they should know better, they should be rebuked publicly. If they don't know better, they shouldn't be in leadership in the first place!