Among the Scriptures in my devotions this morning was this passage from Acts 15:36-41...
Acts 15:36-41, "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."
Are you kidding me? (insert sarcasm) People in the church disagreeing?
Here are two wise and godly men who have differences of opinion among one another. I am not prepared to tell you which one was right and which one was wrong... perhaps neither was right and neither was wrong. The text seems to point to the fact that the "brothers" fell on the side of Paul as they "commended (him) to the grace of the Lord." One thing I know, it wasn't an issue of sin or holiness, it was a matter of opinion and philosophical ministry direction.
Sometimes disagreeing can actually be profitable. In the end, Paul went one direction and Barnabas went the other - the result - there were more people working for the Kingdom.
"there were more people working for the Kingdom."
ReplyDeleteWOW! I totally would have not seen it that way, until someone else said it first!
in the midst of their struggle, Paul and Barnabas probably couldn't see any good in it, but God knew what He was doing all along.
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