Galatians 2:1-5

Summary retelling of Galatians 2:1-5

After fourteen years of ministry, Paul finally decided to go up to Jerusalem in order to explain the ministry that Jesus had called him to do.  Paul took Titus with him, because Titus was a Greek convert to Christianity.  Titus was not forced to obey the law by the Christian leaders in Jerusalem, even though he had not gone through circumcision as a child since he was Greek and not Jewish.  However, there were some false-brothers who secretly slipped into the conversation in order to make trouble.  They attempted to force Paul and Titus into a more “strict” following of the Law, but Paul and Titus did not yield to them for the sake of the Gospel.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul waits before going to Jerusalem until he has a good 14 years of ministry under his belt.  There is something to be said for practice.  There is also something to be said for letting experience teach us what is really important and what the things are that we really wish to hold importance in our life.  Paul doesn’t go up to Jerusalem while he is still young, impressionable, and new at the game.  Instead, Paul goes out and gets some real-world experience under the mentorship of some strong leaders.  When he’s ready, he goes and defends himself.

Why it is smart for Paul to get experience?  Does the world want to deal with us when we have experience?  Why or why not?

Second Thought:

Titus was not made to follow the Law.  Yes, he has to follow what Christ taught.  But he was not made to follow the Law.  Therefore, we can see that it should be possible for Jewish-Christians and convert-Christians to get along just fine.  This also means that it should be possible for any Christians who might have different backgrounds to get along.  We should be united in Christ, not divided by our history or traditions.

What are the main things that you see dividing people of the faith?  What are the main things that we should actually be focusing on that can help unite us?

Third Thought:

False brothers slip into the mix just to cause trouble.  Isn’t it sad how people are always interested in causing trouble!  People are more interested in having their own way than being open to God’s movement in a given context or culture.

Do you think we will always struggle accepting the new ways that God desires to work in the world?  Will we always struggle with people who cannot accept new ways of worship, new ways of being obedient to God, or change in general?  What can we do to make sure that while we embrace change in methodology we don’t change what it means to actually be obedient to God?  (IE, how can we change what we do but not change why we do it and our humbleness to God?)

Passage for Tomorrow: Galatians 2:6-10