When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?" (Galatians 2:14).
Heavenly Father, You are the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:6). He is the chief cornerstone in [whom] the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord (Ephesians 2:20-21).
In Your grand design You have placed us together in community to support each other, to encourage each other, to teach each other, and to redirect each other when we go "off-course." And it doesn't matter whether our calling is to a leadership or a supportive role, because from [the Lord Jesus Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work (Ephesians 4:16).
Oh Lord, give us a deep understanding of ourselves as a unified body under Christ. Help us to truly grasp what it means that God has put the body together... so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other (1 Corinthians 12:24-25).
With this mindset, enable us, like the apostles Paul and Peter to instruct each other without pride, conceit, or presumption. Help us to fearlessly, graciously, humbly, and lovingly give and receive counsel, correction, and instruction. Help us to serve each other tirelessly with mutual love, respect, and accountability, acting in line with the truth of the gospel (Galatians 2:14).
Father, help us to encourage and build up each other. Give us the courage and the wisdom to broach hard truths when needed to guard the body of Christ against pride, prejudice, hypocrisy, and double standards. Remind us that If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it (1 Corinthians 12:26).
Above all, help us to honor You, and to bring glory to Your name, remembering that through us God... diffuses the fragrance of [Christ's] knowledge in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14).
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