And he sailed from Ephesus. And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
Acts 18:21-22
Although he was determined to go to Jerusalem, and although he had taken a vow in order to fit in at Jerusalem, Paul didn’t stay in Jerusalem. You see, Paul was not always real popular in Jerusalem. The Jerusalem boys — Peter, James, and John — had a different flavor than the Antioch boys — Paul and Barnabas, Timothy and Silas …
James would stress that faith without works is dead (James 2:20).
John would say, ‘Children, keep yourself from idols,’ (1 John 5:21).
Peter would write, ‘Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,’ (1 Peter 5:8).
But Paul just went on chapter after chapter celebrating the finished work of the Cross of Calvary.
As you read the New Testament, you can feel the healthy tension between the brothers in Antioch and the brothers in Jerusalem.
I share this with you not simply as a historical note, but to realize that even today different people will have different flavors within the Body of Christ. There will be Pauls and Barnabases who will comfort you by reminding you that you’re perfect in Christ, that the veil is rent, the work done.
And just when you begin to settle in maybe a bit too much, a James or a Peter will remind you that faith without works is dead, that you must be sober and vigilant.
Like the tension on a trampoline, this balance is healthy and important, for without it, we would hit bottom in one extreme or the other.
This devotional by Jon Courson encourages us to love one another and recognize that the Lord in His divine plan and purpose made us different and has a part for each of our individual bents to play. May you continue to grow in Him and be blessed!