Day 10 – Sometimes We Must Confront ~ Julie Earl

Galatians 2:11-14

¹¹ When Cephas [Peter] came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. ¹² For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. ¹³ The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

¹⁴ 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? [Bracket and bold lettering mine]

Julie’s Nugget

It’s not politically correct for Christians to correct other Christians, but it is biblical. Paul had to confront Peter and a group of other Jews who were not eating with Gentiles because they were obeying Jewish Laws. They were being hypocritical by teaching that Jesus died to free us from the Law, but then placing themselves back under the Law by separating themselves from Gentiles during meals.

I’ve had something similar happen where someone I love very much has placed themselves under laws and regulations. Sadly, they came under teachings that take scriptures terribly out of context. I lovingly talked with this person numerous times for a number of years, sharing scripture after scripture on what the gospel is all about, and that salvation or justification by works is no gospel at all. When I offered to go through the Bible with them verse by verse to look at the beauty of God’s grace, they refused.

When this person began proclaiming on social media that God is full of anger and wrath, and happily throws people into hell, I confronted them in love once again. But when they refused to listen, I had to separate myself from them. I could no longer bring myself to have casual conversations with someone who is slandering my best Friend, my Savior, my Lord – and the One who gave everything to free us from Law and judgment.

1 Corinthians 5:11-13 says:

¹¹ But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.

¹² What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? ¹³ God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”

It is my earnest prayer that this dear person, whom I love more than I can say, will realize the severity of what they are doing. They are preaching a false gospel that is the exact opposite of what Jesus and the apostles taught. Please pray that their eyes will be opened once again to the truth.

[I felt there were others who have had or will have similar challenges, which is why I felt prompted to share something so personal and painful.]

To Ponder

Sometimes we must confront, but it must be done in love and by the leading of the Holy Spirit – not in a moment of anger or frustration. Just because someone has issues, it doesn’t mean God necessarily wants us to point it out to help them. He may just ask us to pray and do battle in the spirit realm on their behalf.

If you do see an issue in someone, pray for several weeks and seek wise counsel to see if you are meant to say something. If you are, God will fill your heart with love and give you the words to say.

Many blessings, dear friends!

Julie Earl

[All scripture taken from the New International Version]