Hey ladies!! I was recently reading in the book of Acts and came across a passage that has often caused me to ask, "Who was right? Paul or Barnabas??"
Paul and Barnabas were partners together in spreading the gospel; traveling long distances, spending countless hours teaching and discipling new converts, and experiencing persecution together. Certainly a deep bond was forged between them. At one point in their ministry, they "had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company". OUCH!!
How is this possible? How could someone so supremely in love with Jesus as Paul part company with his partner in ministry on bad terms?? If your curiousity is piqued and you want to know what they argued about, see Acts 15:36-41.
The point here is this: When an argument or disagreement occurs among us, do we typically take sides? Do you find that it's our nature to try to determine who is right and who is wrong in the matter? I sure do!
I've struggled over this particular passage - not having all the facts - I haven't been able to decide who was right and who was wrong! But what if they were both right? What if neither of them were just being selfish, or foolish, or stubborn - and instead, what if the Holy Spirit was directing BOTH OF THEM, but in opposite directions.
Paul and Barnabas had done great things for God together. Perhaps it was time to go their seperate ways, each with a new disciple to mentor, and to reach a greater number of people than they could have reached by staying together! I wouldn't be surprised if, in time, Paul and Barnabas were able to see the hand of God in their dispute, and to acknowledge His plans are always the best.
If we become aware of a dispute in the body of Christ, before we decide who's right and who's wrong, before we jump to conclusions and start passing judgment, before we take sides and try to persuade others to our viewpoint, let's seek God and his purposes. I confess that it's not my first instinct to respond this way, and I'm guessing it's not yours. But by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be transformed.... day by day... minute by minute.
And one thing we can all agree on: God is ALWAYS right!
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What a timely word Linda! This is SO important for us to grasp as followers of Christ. I believe it's in our human nature to always want to be right! Man, I do! I so want to be right!! But God has has given me plenty of 'learning opportunities' to teach me that even IF I'm right, sometimes I am called to lay down my right to be right! Only then can God complete the work in me (and around me) He desires.
ReplyDeleteyep.. that whole 'laying down my right to be right' has become a recurring theme in my walk with Christ. Can you believe I'm actually starting to LIKE IT??
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ReplyDeleteLike it, huh? Teach me your secret girlfriend! :-) I still really, really, really like to be right! lol!!
ReplyDeleteI just removed a duplicate post and it looks like it was removed because it was inappropriate or something. Not the case!! haha!!
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