Galatians 2:1-5
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
The importance of what was said in the previous Note may be further underlined. The kind of discernment shown in these verses by Paul consists in being able to see clearly the logical outcome of wrong ideas, and determining to withstand them. It is sorely needed in our own day, for it is lack of it that has led to the parlous state of the Church's life and witness. It is only when the truth of the gospel is maintained that the way of salvation can remain known in the life of the Church and in the experience of men. The undermining of the authority of the Scriptures in the 19th century and the emergence of theological liberalism, with its optimistic interpretations of the nature of man, was undoubtedly responsible for the eclipse of the true gospel of grace in the 20th century and the darkness and ignorance of masses of people in our land. Likewise, only when the truth of the gospel is maintained can the life of the Church be healthy and vital. Only thus is there an authoritative message, and to try to restore the life of the Church without recovering its true message is labour wasted. Furthermore, it is only when the truth of the gospel is maintained that the moral standards of society are kept on a high level. It is not possible to keep the social and cultural results of Christianity after Christianity has gone, and high-grade efficiency experts and commercial fund-raisers cannot replace the energy of the Holy Spirit. In view of this, what we really need today is some thoroughgoing intolerance and some forthright condemnation of the muddled thinking and dangerously misleading ideas that do duty in the Church for a gospel message. This might cause sensation; it would certainly be unpopular; but it might also clear the air sufficiently for an authentic word from God to get through to the nation!