Contemplative Bible Reading

Galatians 2:9 (New Living Translation)

9 In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews.

Paul is writing here to the Christians in Galatia. He describes a meeting with Peter, James, and John—pillars of the church in Jerusalem and part of the group who walked with Jesus (literally). Up comes this fellow Paul, who had destroyed churches in his past, who ministers with Gentiles all the time.

Attitude? Do the pillars of the church take an attitude of superiority to this newcomer and his, uh, er, sort of disdained group to whom he ministers? No. Acceptance as co-workers is the attitude.

Folks, good Christians reading this, the attitude of Peter, James, and John should be our attitude. There is much to do as Christians. There are many folks who need to hear the good news that we have to share. Accept others as co-workers. Yes, but they didn’t go to the right school or read the Bible correctly or, or, or…

Accept others as co-workers. I have been fortunate in my life that others have accepted me as a co-worker. I have known people who were not accepted, and that hurt. That hurt deeply and for a long time. Let’s not do that. Let’s be like Peter, James, and John.