Taking a Stand for What Is Right
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.”
Galatians 2:3–5
There were several disputes in the early church as doctrines and practices had to be put into place to deal with administering a church since there had never been such a body before. Perhaps the most contentious issue of all dealt with Gentile converts. Some people believed that they needed to basically become Jews, keeping not just the moral law but the ceremonial law as well in order to be saved. Paul soundly rejected this teaching. There is no salvation apart from grace alone. “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” (Galatians 2:21).
Paul would have faced fewer battles if he had been willing to compromise on this issue, but it was too important to allow any confusion to remain. So when he took Titus, a Greek convert, with him to Jerusalem, Paul not only refused to compel Titus to be circumcised, but he publicly rejected the false teaching of those who pushed for that. What Paul referred to as the “truth of the gospel” is so important that no compromises can be made on what the Scriptures teach.
There is no value in being contentious and fighting over things that don’t matter. But there is great value in holding so firmly to the truth that we will not bend even an inch from what is right. Even if it costs us greatly, we should be willing to endure battle for the sake of the truth.
Galatians 2:3–5
There were several disputes in the early church as doctrines and practices had to be put into place to deal with administering a church since there had never been such a body before. Perhaps the most contentious issue of all dealt with Gentile converts. Some people believed that they needed to basically become Jews, keeping not just the moral law but the ceremonial law as well in order to be saved. Paul soundly rejected this teaching. There is no salvation apart from grace alone. “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” (Galatians 2:21).
Paul would have faced fewer battles if he had been willing to compromise on this issue, but it was too important to allow any confusion to remain. So when he took Titus, a Greek convert, with him to Jerusalem, Paul not only refused to compel Titus to be circumcised, but he publicly rejected the false teaching of those who pushed for that. What Paul referred to as the “truth of the gospel” is so important that no compromises can be made on what the Scriptures teach.
There is no value in being contentious and fighting over things that don’t matter. But there is great value in holding so firmly to the truth that we will not bend even an inch from what is right. Even if it costs us greatly, we should be willing to endure battle for the sake of the truth.
Today’s Growth Principle:
While peace is more pleasant than conflict, there are times when defending the truth requires us to do battle.
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