Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Galatians 2:6-10.

“But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me;  God shows no partiality)—well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me.  But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.  They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.”  Galatians 2:6-10.

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It is a wonderful thing to recognize God’s work in others.

Paul recognized God’s work in Peter:  “(for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles)”  Verse 8.

And, James, Cephas (another name for Peter), and John recognized God’s work in Paul:  “and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.”  Verse 9.

But, it is also a wonderful thing to recognize God giving us the will to do His work.  Both Paul and the group of James and Cephas and John recognized that God had given each of them the will to care for the poor.  “They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.”  Verse 10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.”  1 Corinthians 12:4-6.

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:11-13.