“For He Who motivated and fitted Peter and worked effectively through him for the mission to the circumcised motivated and fitted me and worked through me also for [the mission to] the Gentiles.” Gal 2:8 (Amplified)
So, what is the best way to stir a hornets’ nest of fierce opposition? Advocate change to an entrenched idea. What is the best way to cultivate lifelong friends as well as guarantee implacable enemies? Again advocate change, because change is probably the most emotive subject under the sun. The word change invokes in us a dread or fear of the unknown. It threatens to kick us out of our comfort zone, forcing us to re-evaluate our priorities and focus on things we would rather forget about. Change can force us to seek what can amount to effective alliances in unlikely places and to make implacable enemies of former allies. It is quite troubling because it means that life cannot go on the way they used to. There is no longer such thing as business as usual.
In a previous article, we see Peter taking a bold step of faith based on God’s new revelation and striking out to minister to the Gentiles. The brouhaha that resulted was to be expected because of the magnitude of the import of that event. However, Peter was able to convince His colleagues that this was what God willed. A brief study of Church history will show that not everyone concerned was convinced that this was the way to go. Some leaders were adamant that Gentile Christians should be required to observe some tenets of the Jewish religion like circumcision, while others were happy to raise other theological barriers or hoops through which they expected their Gentile brethren to jump to prove the veracity of their spiritual claims. They also proved a formidable future thorn in the flesh for the vessel God later raised up to bridge the yawning gap that was quickly evolving between the Jewish and Gentile world.
So, how did God prosecute His plan in the light of the fierce opposition that arose? He raised up a man in the person of Paul, designating him as Apostle to the Gentiles. He passionately and without remorse championed the cause of the Gentile Christians and became a principal actor in what eventually became a world wide spiritual movement. Although a devout Jew like Peter, however, unlike Peter who lived his whole life in the Levant, Paul grew up among the Gentiles and as so understood the typical Gentile mindset. Hence, God used everything about Paul’s life to minister the Gospel to the Gentiles the same way He used everything about Peter’s life to minister to the Jews. They had the same message, but a different focus. Hence, they tailored their messages to their intended targets and were both immensely successful. God used Peter as His change agent to the Jews and also used Paul in the same capacity for the Gentiles.
To be a change agent for God, understand that controversies will dog your every step, as you will inspire both the best in people who appreciate what you are trying to do, as well as bring out the worst in those who would cast you as the next worst thing to the devil. Nevertheless, if you are to make a significant difference with your life, one thing you cannot afford to do is nothing, for that is the best recipe for mediocrity. God has fitted you for a specific role in His body. You first need to discover that role and then deploy your gifts in fulfilling it. Are you willing to become God’s change agent?
Prayer:
Father, you fitted Peter and Paul to significantly impact your Church and the world. I ask today that you show me the role you have fitted me to play in your end time move so that my life will be significant to the glory of your name. Amen.