Honorbound Devotions
Showing Tough Love
George Fessler
"When Peter came to Antioch, I challenged him to his face because
he was wrong. Peter ate with the non-Jewish people until some Jewish people
sent from James came to Antioch. When they arrived, Peter stopped eating
with those who weren't Jewish, and he separated himself from them. He was
afraid of the Jews. So Peter was a hypocrite, as were the other Jewish
believers who joined with him. Even Barnabas was influenced by what these
Jewishbelievers did. When I say they were not following the truth of the
Good News, I spoke to Peter in front of them all. I said, 'Peter, you are
a Jew, but you are not living like a Jew. You are living like those who
are not Jewish. So why do you now try to force those who are not Jewish
to live like
Jews?'" (Galatians 2:11-14, NCV).
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When we think about the Christian faith in terms of influential
people, we naturally think of Peter and Paul. Peter was prominent in being
close to Jesus, often venturing out in faith, sometimes acting before thinking,
but always fervent in his devotion to Christ (despite the three occasions
of denying his Lord). Peter was instrumental after Pentecost as a leader
in proclaiming Christ and establishing believers in the faith. Yet there
was an occasion when even this pillar of the faith acted inconsistently
(imagine a believer doing that!). Paul tells of a time when Peter, in effect,
denied the gospel by his conduct. He had acted insincerely and hypocritically,
when out of fear of the Jewish party from Jerusalem, he separated himself
from the Gentile believers.
While certainly respecting Peter's position and authority, Paul nonetheless
confronted Peter with the truth regarding his actions. He did not mince
words in showing tough love to his fellow worker in Christ. It's not always
easy, but sometimes we need to confront another brother about his wrongful
behavior. Paul later described the tact of "speaking the truth in
love" as the manner in which this should be done. All truth without love
can be harsh; all love without truth is mere sentimentality. We all need
the truth spoken in love.
Prayer response: Father, I am grateful for an awareness of your presence
in my life. I thank you that you have included me in your grace and salvation.
I belong to you and to your people, with whom I am called to live gracefully
and truthfully. Help me to be a loving servant of yours, open to truth
spoken to me and empowered to speak to others when needed -- to
speak your truth sensitively and lovingly. Guard my heart from any pride
that may arise as I do so. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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