Who matters?

Do you worry about your reputation before others? To often we are motivated to do things because we care what others think about us. This should not be. We see that Paul states that despite submitting to those who had a reputation it did not make a difference to him or God. God does not show partiality and neither should we when it comes to what we do or why we do it.

Gal 2:5-10
6 But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) — well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised 8 (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), 9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They only asked us to remember the poor — the very thing I also was eager to do. NASU

Paul notes for us that he was given the responsibility by God to take the gospel to the Gentiles. God will never tell others what you should do but they can confirm God working in your life.
Be careful that you don’t look to others to know what to do. Look to God and others will be able to see God working in your life.

Explore for yourself

1. What did they discover concern the message Paul was preaching?
2. How was Paul focus different than Peter’s
3.Who is power behind what was taking place?
4. What request did the apostles make of Paul and the others? What was their response?