ESOCS Devotional 2 May 2025 – The Partnership That Works 2
MEMORY VERSE: “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.” Galatians 2:9
TEXT: GALATIANS: 2:1-10
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.
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Beloved, yesterday we said that partnership is a joint participation to get something done successfully; and there are all kinds of partnerships that life offers. Some are effective and productive, while some end up in disaster and disappointment. Anyone in a partnership in a particular venture is not alone in that venture.
Preaching the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is a serious venture that requires partnership. Partnership is support given to anyone towards success in ones undertaking. Peter, the foremost Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, having listened to Apostles Paul and Barnabas on the gospel that Paul preached to the Gentiles, which he received from the Lord Jesus Christ, confirmed and gave them (Paul and Barnabas) the right of fellowship. The same Greek word koinōnia translated as communion in 2 Corinthians 13:14 is the same word translated as fellowship here in Galatians 2:9. So here, it is a partnership of confirmation and support, knowing that they are labouring for the same God and Master. One is to the Jews at Jerusalem and abroad, while the other is to the Gentiles – all must be reached by the Gospel of Jesus Christ unto salvation. Their partnership was based on the truth of the Gospel.
Beloved, if there’s any time we need partnership that is devoid of offence, bitterness, pull him down attempts and destructive criticism, it is now. This is because the hosts of hell have mobilised and marshalled out attack tactics against the children and servants of God in order to disrupt the Gospel movement and power from emptying hell of souls. So, we need the cooperation of the Holy Spirit. But He can only function in oneness and peace. Apostle Paul advised us in the scriptures: “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:3-4).Let us therefore understand this and support one another with prayers, moral encouragement and finances. Seek those who fell, that are discouraged and are in hiding and pull them up for the LORD.
CHALLENGES
- Never envy the gifts and graces of your fellow servant of God to the point of backstabbing him. Rather, always pray, encourage and support one another by all means.
PRAYER POINT
- Father, help us all in your mercy to support one another in love.
FURTHER READING: Judges 17:1-13; 18:1-17; Galatians 1:13-24
ESOCS Devotional 2 May 2025
