“I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel” (Galatians 2:14).

I had been volunteering at the library for several years, loving my assigned task, when an older woman from the Senior Center was given work at my assigned job. I was frustrated, for I only worked twice a week and, again, loved what I was doing. I was annoyed she couldn't be used somewhere else when I was there. I complained to the volunteer coordinator. I took my case to a friend on the Board. But more so, I occasionally poured out my frustration to my best friend. She finally, frankly pointed out how uncharitable I was: this woman needed a little income, I still had my own work to do, and I hypocritically acted nice to her but talked about her to others. My friend was blunt; none of this oh, I know how you feel; that’s awful, etc. No, she called me out in person, not even under the protection of a distanced email, and I was humbled. I never looked at the situation the same again.

Now I don’t pretend my superior attitude impacted the furtherance of the gospel as Peter’s straddling Jewish and Christian beliefs (Gal. 2:11-14) could have. But I was a lousy example of Christ’s compassion. The gospel should impact every aspect of my life.

In Gal. 2:11-14, Peter’s withdrawal from eating with Gentiles “because he was afraid of the circumcision group” (v.12) led other Jewish believers, including Barnabas, “astray” (v.13). Paul confronts Peter “to his face” (v.11) about his hypocritical (v.13), uncharitable actions: “You are a Jew [and] live like a Gentile [but] force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs” (v.14). How contrary Peter’s behavior is to gospel truth that grace is the sole basis of our acceptance; grace is for everyone. Peter had to be stopped. Boldly. Paul confronted him “in front of them all” (v.14).

We all need ongoing gospel confrontation - whether we examine ourselves, gauging how our actions align with Scripture, or whether someone else sees our errors and, “as iron sharpeneth iron” (Prov. 27:17), we are chastened. How best should we do the latter?

• Begin with prayer: for the person, for yourself, for the right timing, right words, right attitudes
• Motivation must be just: neither Peter’s nor my “actions were in line with the truth of the gospel” (v.14); we were clearly “in the wrong” (v.11).
• Have the discussion face to face. A text or email dilutes the impact.
• Don't confront after one slip-up. Is the behavior becoming a pattern (v.12)? 
• Confronting in anger is counterproductive; the intention should be to reorient behavior and thinking, not to make someone defensive.
• Choose the audience carefully. I am grateful my friend didn’t call me out in front of other friends. I was chastened enough as it was. Perhaps Paul felt Peter, a senior leader and in public ministry, needed public confrontation.

Do I consider myself “religious”? Do I have standards of behavior which make me feel self-righteous? As Peter was forgetting it was Christ’s work alone, not his Jewish customs, that made him acceptable, am I placing burdens on others to “act” the way I want them to act? If so, I need to refocus. 

Help me, Lord, to reorient myself to Scripture as frequently as it takes, and if I don’t see my flaws, send a caring friend to confront me.