The four of us sat across the room from each other one evening, my body feigning a relaxed appearance while my hands clenched tightly together in my lap. Our team leaders had invited me and my husband over “to talk” after months of built-up tension. The conversation was clearly needed, and though we had prayerfully prepared our hearts, the initial start toward reconciliation was deeply intimidating. 

Three years later, the same four of us sat on a different couch on a different continent, but this time the atmosphere was relaxed, joyful, united. From the outside looking in, one would have no idea what had taken place to create such a deeply-knitted friendship. But we knew. This affection and love for one another had come hard-won, melded together in the fires of open and honest conversations, rebukes when needed, and humility to receive confrontation of sin and unintentional hurt.

Paul writes about a confrontation he had with Peter in Galatians 2:11-21 concerning Peter’s refusal to eat with uncircumcised Gentile believers in Antioch. Peter had clearly sinned in distorting the gospel meant “for all people” not based on adherence to the law, even leading other believers such as Barnabas into hypocrisy. He had allowed the desire for approval from the circumcised group to compromise what he knew of justification through Christ alone (Acts 10:10-16). Clearly Peter needed to be corrected.  

But what if Paul had not corrected Peter? The gospel that broke the divide between Jew and Gentile could have been twisted into a performance-based hierarchy and caused disunity amongst the newly-formed Church. I also wonder how Peter reacted to such a harsh but necessary rebuke. Did he have the courage to receive the criticism with a heart ready to change? Though Peter’s reactions are not recorded, we do see him writing of “our dear brother Paul” in 2 Peter 3:15-16, possibly showing a continued affection between himself and Paul despite the conflict. 

Unfortunately, interpersonal conflict is the number one reason global workers leave the field*. And we are all also unfortunately broken, sinful humans who will inevitably sin against one another. Can we display the courage displayed both by Paul in bravely confronting sin and by Peter in humbly accepting the correction? These healthy rhythms of conflict are not easy nor are they comfortable, but they are essential for the building up of the body and the spreading of His kingdom.