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Consistency of Relationship

“When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, ‘You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?’” Galatians 2:14

The thing that confuses, frustrates or discourages non-believers toward the Gospel is hypocrisy. And Peter was standing in it and smelling like it. So, Paul confronts him publicly. He was enjoying spending time with the Gentiles before some very conservative religious folks showed up. All of a sudden, it was not proper to eat with the Gentiles and Peter pulled back. His hypocrisy led to others, even including Barnabas. Paul challenges Peter with the Gospel, for this is not how the Gospel would act. And the issue was eventually resolved.

It is the consistency of relationship with pre-believers and new believers that is so vital. Many times the Lord is doing a work in the life of the believer, molding and shaping us, while using this weak and broken vessel to reach into the life of another person.

Is there any place in your life right now where hypocrisy is hurting your witness to a family member, neighbor or friend? If so, confess it and deal with it and allow the Lord to grow you beyond it.

Prayer Focus: Lord, may the words of my mouth, the meditations of my heart and the actions of my life be reflective of and consistent with You.

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