Paul had issues with Peter. Notice Paul says, “I opposed him to his face.” Face to face. Paul does not avoid Peter. Peter does not flee from Paul. This is the only way conflicts get resolved. However, it takes more than meeting face to face and arguing and shouting. Both parties have to meet in a spirit of love. They have to want resolution and want it badly! Paul wanted things to be right between him and Peter. Peter did too. They hashed it out. They worked it out. Maybe it wasn’t pretty, but they got it worked out. They loved each other because Christ first loved them. Peter later calls Paul “our beloved brother.” So, no more fleeing conflict and no more gossip! No more talking about people behind their backs. Face to face or not at all. When you find yourself ready to say something negative about a person with you have issues who is not present to face your words, resolve to keep silent. Despise conflict, but don't flee from it. Face your issues face to face.
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