"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice" - Ephesians 4:31 (NIV).
Disagreements are common in life, and naturally do happen also among the people of God. Paul and Barnabas were companions with a passion to share the Gospel in the early church. Indeed, they were sent out as a team to Jerusalem to seek clarity on a matter of huge disagreement, as some were saying, "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved" (Acts 15:2).
Yet somewhere along the way the two companions also disagreed- this time on account of who to move out with on their next journey. "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" (vv 37-39).
So, was that an odd thing? There are those of us who would see disagreements or even expressing them as out of the ordinary. Perhaps we would rush to suppress them by denying their existence. In our view two good and more so godly people should just get along, perhaps seeing disagreement as unspiritual.
Yet here for Paul and Barnabas once they aired their differences and it was clear that they could not see eye to eye, they agreed to go separate ways. "Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches (vv 40-41). In the end God would use each one mightly in their separate walk.
Harmony is of course ideal in any relationship and the word of God inspires us so. However, guenine differences of views even among God's people can happen. Not only should we create a civilised atmosphere where parties can openly disagree without "fear or favour" but if no common position is reached, it's okay to go separate ways, without rancour and bitterness as we see with these two pioneers of the Christian faith.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, in those moments of disagreement may your Holy Spirit guide me to find common position and if not possible part without bitterness for each one to be used of you still, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
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06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
