August 26, 2025 | Be God's Family
Paul's Partnership with Barnabas
Scripture: Galatians 2:6-10 (NIV)
6 As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, they recognized 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 recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.
Devotional
A few months ago, I visited an older gentleman in the hospital with several students from my class. This man was not feeling well, struggled to maintain proper hygiene, and had an old flip phone on the bedside table. During our conversation, one student spoke to him in a judgmental tone. However, everything changed when we discovered that he was an esteemed university professor living alone and dealing with declining health. Instantly, the student's attitude shifted to one of respect. This moment sparked a realization for me: the student had judged this man solely by his appearance, allowing that initial impression to dictate how he treated him. It served as a powerful reminder that we should not judge others based on their appearance or social status.
It is easy to rate people based on their official status and be intimidated by influential people. But Paul was not intimidated by those held in high esteem because all believers are equal in Christ. We should respect all our spiritual leaders, but our ultimate alliance must be to Jesus. We are to serve him with all that we are. God does not rate us according to our status, He looks at the attitude of our hearts. We must strive to be encouraging leaders who show humility and demonstrate a heartfelt desire to please God. The pillars of the church leaders such as James (Jesus’ half-brother), Peter, and John realized that God was using Paul to reach the rest of the known world, not just fellow Jews. After hearing Paul’s message, they gave Paul and Barnabas their approval, “the right hand of fellowship” to continue to work among the Gentiles.
A Call to action: Have you caught yourself viewing others as more or less important than yourself lately? Consider ways that you might correct your course and view Christ followers as equals, regardless of their socioeconomic status or job titles.
Poem
God Chooses
Psalm 119:65-72
Do good to your servant according to your word, Lord. Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
Psalm 119:65-67
God chooses whom He chooses
To do His bidding call
The brave, the meek, the broken
Equips them one and all
Those whom were once deaf, blinded
Now healed by Divine word
Those whom were once afflicted
Now carry Spirit’s sword
All rise to Kingdom’s mission
All rise to join the throng
