Sharp Disagreements

"Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing. Barnabas wanted to take John also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches." Acts 15:36-41"

I wonder why Luke chose to share this part of the inner workings of the early church. Obviously because he is led of the Spirit in writing Acts and what is included in what God intended for us to study. Luke is sharing as he is inspired and not trying to paint a pretty picture or one that is touched up for appearances.

Christians have disagreements and it is not necessarily obvious who is right or wrong at a given time. The major issues of doctrine are far clearer than these matters of opinion. Barnabas, the encourager, was more willing to restore trust to John Mark than Paul, the former Pharisee. Whatever John Mark did and how he did it when he deserted the ministry was too much for Paul to trust him so easily. Who knows what is behind the disagreement. Maybe Barnabas was too easy in his restoration of John Mark. Maybe Paul is too harsh in his unwillingness to restore him. These matters still happen in the Body of Christ today. We don't always have to agree. We should try to disagree agreeably though. Sometimes, parting company is necessary, even between brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are not very good at this. Some people find it difficult to set boundaries and enforce guidelines, accountability and non-negotiables. Others find it difficult to forgive or to trust when serious issues have adversely affected the work of the ministry. I probably tend to side with Barnabas and can be too forgiving and easy. I get myself in some trouble for this. Earlier in my life I was more like Paul. I got myself in some trouble with that too. Every situation needs to be addressed individually and good, even mature Christian people are not always going to agree. Especially when it comes to how stringent or lenient to be with people who have made mistakes or who have a pattern of messing up.

So what do we do? We have to be ready to stand our ground when needed. Compromise is not always the wisest thing to do. We also need to be ready to compromise if we should. Wow, now we begin to see how difficult this really is. Paul and Barnabas had to part ways. They teamed up with others. Even they were an amazing team. Hey, maybe God got more done through them splitting up? Maybe sometimes we have to move on? God help us to know when to compromise, when to give in and when to stand our ground.... and how to know the difference. This won't always be easy, but the work is more important than the work being easy. We must be decisive, even if we are decisive about being indecisive. Whoa.... so are you more like Paul or Barnabas, or have you been both? We must eventually forgive. But, sometimes we must stand our ground in the moment. Oh, for the grace to follow Him, wherever He leads.

In His Service,
Pastor Fred

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