If it seems right to the Spirit, we should follow through accordingly. It is valid to show deference to people in order to keep the peace. It is valid to stick to one’s principles if the Spirit is convicting. Jesus should shine and church be strengthened by our actions…
Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, 3 so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. 4 Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.
Acts 16:1-5 NLT
The nuances of the early church in adhering to Jewish custom and law are sometimes difficult to follow. In the previous chapter, Paul split with Barnabas, and part of the issue in their relationship was that Barnabas and Peter sided with Judaizers in the treatment of Gentiles. Flip the page forward and we find Paul circumcising Timothy to prepare him for service.
The status of Timothy’s mother as Jewish, even though his father was Greek, was apparently a core reason for this approach. He would likely be viewed as Jewish by many of the people they encountered, and Paul’s principle was to become like one under the law to win those under the law.
Perhaps this helps my case for relaxing a bit on Barnabas, who is still under that bus. There are reasons to go in several different directions in processing people who come to faith from a variety of places in life. What makes sense in one context may not fit another situation.
This is why the reliance on the Spirit to determine our steps is so key.
If it seems right to the Spirit, we should follow through accordingly. It is valid to show deference to people in order to keep the peace. It is valid to stick to one’s principles if the Spirit is convicting. Here we see that Paul was motivated to keep that peace.
It is more important to be in right relationship than it is to be right. In fact, you can still be right while preserving that relationship. Perhaps the phrase could be modified to say that it is more important in terms of the gospel, to be in right relationship than it is to appear to be right. I don’t need to look good in order to further the gospel. Jesus needs to shine.
As a result of Paul and Timothy’s actions, the churches were strengthened and grew larger every day. Mission accomplished.
Amen.
Marc Kinna
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