July 23, 2025

BIBLICALLY SOUND THEOLOGY

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing.”

Galatians 2:1-2 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

Throughout Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia, he often refers to his own personal life experiences. It is part epistle, part autobiography. His purpose is to use his personal journey to illustrate the truths he wants to drive home to these early, mostly non-Jewish believers.

In this passage, Paul shares three things about his trip to Jerusalem to meet with the church leaders — a meeting also recorded in Acts 15, commonly referred to as the Jerusalem Council. This was a pivotal moment in the early Church when the leaders were determining what was essential to the Christian faith.

These early leaders had all come out of Judaism. They were raised to obey the law as the way to be right with God. In the early days of the Church, they were often tempted to simply add faith in Jesus to their religious practice of the law. This Council would establish the Church’s theology moving forward.

Three things we learn about Paul’s trip to Jerusalem:

1. His Motive

Paul did not go to Jerusalem to make a name for himself or to argue for his own opinion. He was motivated to go “because God revealed to me that I should go.” His motive was to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit in his life.

We should always act on the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is easy to let our motives be shaped by self-interest or by others’ expectations instead of by listening to God’s voice.

2. His Method

Paul wrote, “While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church.” He did not march into Jerusalem to make a public scene or to start a debate. He was discreet, meeting personally and privately with the key leaders.

When we face difficult conversations, we should always practice discretion. Years ago, I adopted the rule: “Praise in public, correct in private.” When tough conversations are needed, schedule private meetings to listen, share concerns, and seek unity with those who can do something about the issue.

Too often people talk to everyone except the people who can help solve the problem. Let’s limit our conversations to those who have the authority and responsibility to address the concerns we have.

3. His Message

Paul “shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles.” He said, “I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted, and I was running the race for nothing.”

Paul had been preaching to non-Jews for years, teaching the gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus. He wanted the leaders to hear exactly what the Spirit had taught him — and to confirm that his message lined up with the truth of the gospel.

It is important to have others help us ensure our teaching and understanding of God’s Word is accurate. Paul submitted his message to the leaders for confirmation. No one person has all the understanding and insight into God’s Word — we are all better when we learn from one another.

Let’s learn from Paul how to live as followers of Christ: always check our motive, our method, and our message. Are we following the Spirit? Are we respectful of others? Is our theology biblically solid?

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, direct my life so that it is pleasing to You and aligned with Your will. Keep me from pride or arrogance. Let my motive, method, and message always honor You. Amen.

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