Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. — Galatians 2:1-2

So as we start chapter two, we have to recall the context of this letter. Paul presents validation for both his ministry to the Gentiles (or non-believers) and the message of grace over legalism. And he begins by referencing a couple of men that supported him in his work — "Barnabas," a Jewish believer, and "Titus," a Gentile believer. Barnabas was a long-time ministry friend, and Titus was one of Paul's proteges. And what he's laying out is a case for his fight against religious legalism that suggests non-believers need to perform certain Jewish rites before becoming a follower of Jesus — namely one, circumcision. A very sensitive matter for male converts. But this matter cuts to the heart of legalism by attacking one of the oldest rites of passage in the Jewish religion. A practice instituted by God in Abraham.

So in this text, Paul mentioned a major meeting of the minds that happened in Jerusalem — the famed Jerusalem Council, which you can read about in Acts 15. It's worth a read. And at this meeting, they addressed the rite of circumcision. The conversation involved prominent Jewish leaders in the church, such as Peter and James, the brother of Jesus. And in the end, they ruled in favor of salvation by grace, not salvation by circumcision. The ruling was stated this way by the apostle Peter:

"But [the leaders] believe that [Jews] will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as [Gentiles] will." — Acts 15:11

So what's the application of a text like this?

I think one application could be this — When we fight the fight of faith, we need to ensure we are fighting the right fight.

Over the years, I have seen so much fighting in the church. Fighting over senseless things that absorb so much energy. Fights over things that do not matter with people who merely like to fight. It's exhausting for everyone — pastors and people. It repels outsiders and exhausts insiders. But there are certain battles worth fighting. They involve matters that affect the gospel. But we should not confuse the two! And the battle that Paul is fighting here, the battle for salvation by grace, not by religious rite, was one I am glad Paul fought.

So today, get out there and fight your battle. Fight with vigor. But before you do, make sure you are fighting the right fight. Because if you end up fighting against the gospel, you'll end up fighting with God. And if you do end up fighting with God, you're going to end up losing.

ASK THIS: What fight are you fighting for the gospel?

DO THIS: Share it below.

PRAY THIS: God, help me fight for you, not against you.

PLAY THIS: Surrounded (Fight My Battles) — Josh Baldwin.

Check out other all Vince Miller's videos and audios for small groups at: https://beresolute.org/

Get Vince's most widely read resources The Daily Devotional at: https://beresolute.org/mdd

Check out more ALL IN products like the one Vince is wearing at:
https://beresolute.org/product-category/all-in-hats/
____________________________________________________________________________________
Connect with Vince socially:
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/millervince
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/vinceleemiller
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincemiller
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/vinceleemiller