Galatians 2:6 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.

Have you ever walked into an event and immediately you notice a group of people who seem to be treated a rung above? Have you ever been doing something God called you to do and there be someone who steps in and tries to dissuade you because they know better? The world is full of people like this. They think or seem to others that they are better than you, or like the Pharisees know more. How should we respond to this type of discouragement?

Paul makes this very clear; God shows no personal favoritism. That means He loves and uses you with the gifts He has given you. It may be the gift of speaking or teaching. Whatever, no one is better than you and we should always remember this. Jesus, in Matthew 15, responds to the Pharisees calling out His disciples not washing their hands like the Jewish traditions called for. Jesus turned the tables on the keepers of the law and told them their hearts were far from God. That they loved their traditions and power more. And this is the crux of the situation. What is your heart focused on?

We are human and we love to be in groups with other people. We have to always have in mind though the group is not our god. Jesus came to the world in order for us to know Him. He came to suffer for our sins and take them unto Himself to receive our punishment. He went to the grave and was resurrected. When He was resurrected, our sins stayed in the grave. No matter who or what is in your life our main focus should always be on Jesus. Tradition means nothing. Being chastised by the godless means nothing. Jesus is what matters in our life. He gave all for us. Can’t we give Him our best?