"I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" Galatians 2:21
If I knew that a famous Christian leader was in the wrong, would I have the courage to tell him? The Apostle Paul did.
No matter how many times I have read this passage in Galatians, I haven't captured the full weight of Paul's words. My view changed when I noticed one simple thing that is easy to overlook, a quotation mark.
The last eight verses in this chapter are Paul's recollection of a public conversation he had with the Apostle Peter. For some reason, I have always felt Paul was simply sharing his theology with the early church, but he was recounting his words to Peter, one who had walked with Christ.
Could I tell Peter that he was acting in such a way that negated Jesus' death on the cross? I wonder how Peter responded. It must have been quite a conversation!
Lord, I want to have the boldness of Paul. I want to have the courage to stand up for truth. Make me a righteous man, worthy of speaking the truth without concern of judgment.