Scripture: Galatians 2:6-9
And from those who were supposed to be acknowledged leaders (what they actually were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those leaders contributed nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel for the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter making him an apostle to the circumcised also worked through me in sending me to the Gentiles), and when James and Cephas and John, who were acknowledged pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Thought for the Day: We tend to think of grace as this hazy theoretical concept associated with God’s love and mercy, but according to Paul, it was something clearly seen by James, Peter (Cephas) and John. It was ‘recognized’ in Paul. The Greek word that we translate as ‘recognized’ or ‘perceived’ is ginosko, but it is also the Jewish idiom for knowing someone in a sexual way. It is not theoretical or hypothetical if you know someone sexually. Such a knowledge describes a clear and tangible recognition. Grace should be so clearly discernible within us that others should know it and feel it and be changed because of it.
Prayer: Holy Creator, giver of grace, we have encountered your gift of grace. Now, with your help, make that gift come alive within us so that others may know it and claim it for themselves. Amen.
