Galatians 2:7-9 (NIVUK)
7 On the contrary, they recognised that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. 8 For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognised the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.
Sometimes Paul can seem to be a maverick one man mission machine flying from place to place and doing his own thing. As this passage and many others prove, however, this was far from the case. Paul recognised that he was part of the church and a team of leaders, and although he didn’t always agree with the others, he submitted himself to them and challenged them when he felt they were straying from God. We too are part of the church. Like Paul, we are not independent, but live and work alongside others, complementing what they are doing. Let’s do our best to work in unity, not necessarily all doing the same thing, but working together towards the common goal of glorifying God.
Take some time to pray for others in the church family – and know that others are praying for you!
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