Have you ever had an argument with a fellow believer? Most of us have experienced conflict with one another, even fellow believers… at times very close friends. It is important in such cases to remember that our brothers and sisters in Christ are not our enemies. It is important to resolve conflicts within the community of believers. In particular, we must not allow arguments to make us act toward each other as if we are enemies. We have only one enemy and that is Satan.
Paul and Barnabas had worked together to bring about a successful missionary journey. After a while, they sought to return to visit the brethren they had visited before. However, they found themselves in a sharp disagreement over whether or not to take along Mark.
Second Missionary Journey
36After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. 38But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
I would like to be able to point in this scripture to where Paul and Barnabas resolved their disagreement and parted on good terms or better yet, left together, but scripture indicates they parted on bad terms. They allowed the disagreement about Mark to separate them in going about doing the Lord’s work. I do not fully understand why they allowed this to happen and it is disappointing. It is good however that neither walked away from the Lord’s work. Both went on a missionary journey with another partner.
Are there situations in your life where you are allowing anger or unforgiveness toward someone to create conflict in your life or even keep you from serving God? What steps can you take to resolve the conflict in a productive way? We do not have to agree on all things as believers and friends, but we should try to resolve conflict and walk with grace and forgiveness toward others.
Ephesians 4:26-27 26BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and do not give the devil an opportunity.
To hold on to our anger or bitterness toward others gives the devil an opportunity to separate us from each other and from God. Do not give the devil an opportunity.
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