Something Worth Fighting For

“But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"”

(Galatians 2:11-14 ESV)

Even though it saddens me to say it, the Church has no shortage of conflict. This has been true throughout the centuries. And it remains true even today.



Our tendency is to quibble over even the smallest of matters. What carpet color should we choose for the sanctuary? Do we sing hymns, choruses, or both? Do we use only the organ, or can we use a piano or guitar? Should we encourage people to dress up, or is casual dress acceptable? And these are only a few of the matters that divide us.



Much of this is ridiculous. It’s unnecessary. And, seeing this, we often become reactionary. We want to prevent any and all disagreement.



We fail to understand that, at times, we must take a stand. We fail to understand that there are matters worth fighting for. We fail to understand that, at times, these divisions are necessary.



We can see this in the above passage. Paul had already taken his message to the church in Jerusalem, where it was received. He’d been given the right hand of fellowship, and had his ministry both acknowledged and encouraged. However, Peter’s behavior suddenly changed when men arrived, who had been sent by James.



Prior to their arrival, Peter had eaten with the Gentiles. But, once these men arrived, he separated himself. Fearing the circumcision party, Peter would eat only with the Jews.



Not only was Peter’s behavior a problem in itself. It influenced others. The rest of the Jews in the congregation began also to separate themselves. Even Barnabas was led astray.



This was not a matter that Paul could just overlook. Their behavior was not in line with the truth of the gospel. And, for this reason, it had to be dealt with.



Paul, then, opposed Peter to his face. He addressed Peter’s hypocrisy. He did so publicly. And he did so for the sake of the church. He did so for the sake of the gospel.



We rarely think of conflict as being good for the church. We rarely think of it as being good for the gospel. But, in this case, it was.



Allowing Peter’s behavior to continue called the gospel itself into question. It reinforced the idea that we are saved, not by faith in Christ alone, but by our works. And this could, ultimately, lead people away from the salvation Jesus came to provide.



The same thing is often true today. Not all conflicts are pointless. Some, in fact, are necessary to preserve the gospel.



Many believers have had to fight for the gospel as their pastor, congregation, or denomination have denied the authority of Scripture. Many have had to fight for the gospel as destructive heresies and practices have crept into the church. And others have had to fight for the gospel for the same reason as Paul, because works righteousness was being promoted.



While there are many issues that are not worth fighting for, there are others that are. And may we pray for wisdom in distinguishing between the two. We don’t want to fight and divide the church over matters that are meaningless and that are not a matter of truth. But, when the gospel is at stake, we must.