Paul and Barnabas

A relational split does not necessarily destine the church to decline but could be the very thing to disperse resources and enhance the kingdom.

Biblical Reference: Acts 15

Biblical Summary: Paul and Barnabas are effective and powerful co-ministers of the gospel. Because of a disagreement, they part ways.

Reflections -

Paul and Barnabas were a powerful pair. Acts 15 begins with the Council at Jerusalem where Paul and Barnabas teamed together to teach the whole assembly. "The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them" (v 12). Their testimonies lead to a radical change in the church's treatment of gentiles.

In light of this crescendo, I find the end of the chapter so intriguing. Together, they have labored. Together, they've ministered to the Gentiles with astounding results. Together, they've changed the Jewish Christian's legalistic bent thus unifying the church and assisting the Gentiles further. Then, after uniting the church, "they have such a sharp disagreement that they parted company" (v 39).

How ironic that the argument was over another severed relationship (Mark). Have you found seen or experienced the same? Feelings about a given (or the mere topic of) estrangement can be so strong, further estrangements occur.

It is so good to realize the power of our God. He even uses relational separations to strengthen his church. Barnabas ministers in Cyprus. Paul ministers "through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches" (v 41). What could have been a tragedy of struggling leaders and church splits, instead strengthened the church as these two strong leaders double the gospel exposure. In fact, the reality is that the effect was exponential as both Paul and Barnabas took another companion.

It's good to read passages like 1 Cor 9:6 or Col 4:10 where Paul refers to Barnabas in his letters without regard to their differences. Their differences caused them to part ways but was not used to divide the church... just multiply the work.

Prayer -

Lord, thank you that you use anything and everything to strengthen your church. Help us to live lives following our calling and not justifying our separations.

Where we have separated from relationships in the church, help us to trust you despite our differences in conviction. Help us to rejoice in people touched by the gospel -- even through one who has wounded us! (Philippians 1:18) Help us to realize your gospel is bigger than Satan's schemes or people's faults. (Romans 8)

Where we have separated from relationships outside the church, we pray for ministry to that person or those people. Our inability to change things is so frustrating! But, you are the God that owns it all... the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10). All resources belong to you to distribute. Though we are not ministering into those relationships, provide another!

Help our separations further your church instead of forcing divisions in the church. Help us to promote You and not ourselves. Keep us from hypocrisy. Enlarge our hearts for you and for those with whom we no longer relate. To you be the glory forever, Amen.

Calm and Crush!?!

We often categorize traits into two distinct camps. In one, we lump anger, aggression, justice, and lack of control. In the other, we lump peace, mercy, grace, and self-control. However, our God is a God that often combines seemingly opposite characteristics.

Biblical Passage: Romans 16: 20 "The God of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet."

Biblical Context: Paul is finishing the book of Romans with his final remarks.

Reflections -
I love this verse. God is both the God of Peace and the Righter of Wrongs. In this we can clearly see how defining peace as "the state prevailing during the absence of war" is a limited definition... applicable in some contexts but certainly not all. Likewise, the definition of peace as "harmonious relations; freedom from disputes" is limited as "crushing Satan" is certainly not living harmonious.

It seems that those engaged in conflict often wrestle with the righteousness of their calling. On the one hand, it seems logical to fight as a soldier or address wickedness as a christian. On the other hand, the church often preaches our need to love, forgive, and show mercy.

One definition of peace I like is, "the absence of mental stress and anxiety". I like this definition coupled with another definition of peace as, "the general security of public places (ie. disturbing the peace". Can we, without a loss of control, defend what is right? The Lord can.

The God of Peace will soon crush Satan. He is not reacting in explosive violence but in calculated choice. He is not worried or anxious about his delay or about the outcome. His act of peace is one that, in a way, causes destruction. Yet, his overall purpose and nature is fulfilled.

The God of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. He uses us. I assume this verse does not imply that God will crush Satan and then place his ruined carcass under our feet. Somehow, in his power, he will use us to accomplish his plan.

In Genesis 3:15b, God curses the snake by saying, "He [woman's offspring] will crush your head and you will strike his heel." Through the lineage of Abraham and David and through the virgin birth of Mary, Jesus came and defeated Satan. Likewise, I believe he uses us to show himself and accomplish his purposes.

Prayer -

Thank you for righting wrongs. Thank you that you do this according to your perfect plan and not the result of an out-of-control act of power. Thank you for acting in peace and for peace.

Help us to follow you in responding to others in peace. Settle our hearts if our actions of peace involve upholding justice. Help soldiers fulfill their duties in faithful devotion to you. Help those in relationship difficulties to respond out of faithfulness to you also.

Thank you for using us as part of your plan. Forgive us for acting impulsive at times. But thank you for using even these.

A Forced Dichotomy? Acceptance and Estrangement

The Bible calls us to "accept one another ... as Christ accepted you". Can I say "no" to a relationship with another when God has said "yes" to a relationship with me?

Biblical Passage -
Romans 15:7 "Accept one another, then just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." NIV

Biblical Context -
After discussing the varying convictions of the day and exhorting the church to refrain from judgmental condemnation and, instead, to strive to live in peace, Paul, the author of Romans, writes about unity.

Reflections -

What does it mean to accept another?

On one hand, it could be argued that because Christ reconciled himself to us while we were sinners/ his enemies, we ought to do the same for others.

But again, I ask, is this what "accepting another as Christ accepted us" means?

(1)
Let's look at the Greek word translated as "accept". The greek word "proslambano" is defined by Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary as "to take to oneself ... to receive ... signifying a special interest on the part of the receiver, suggesting a welcome."

It would appear then, that Paul is not addressing the condoning of another's sin, nor is he addressing any permanent relational acceptance. Instead, it appears he is addressing the manner in which we respectfully treat another person present and, perhaps, in need.

This greek word is used in 2 other contexts in the New Testament. The first is Acts 28:2 where islanders on Malta "showed ... unusual kindness ... and welcomed" Paul and his team, providing fire and supplies "because it was raining and cold." These islanders' acceptance of Paul did not provide a permanent friendship for Paul but instead enabled Paul to minister to many and even heal the father of a chief official. What a compound effect this welcoming had! Though Paul left them a short time later (v10), their generous welcome had a lasting affect.

It seems as though a significant reason for a gracious greeting is to provide ministry opportunities through us and others not primarily for an ongoing relationship between two parties.

(2)
The english definition of "welcome" is "to receive or accept with kind courtesy or pleasure."

If we trust God is wise and continually moving relational pieces on this chessboard of life to fulfill a greater plan than can be thought or imagined, it would behoove us to treat encounters with others as moments in God's plan ... for us ... for them ... for his redemptive work on earth.

Perhaps, this welcome will be a lifelong friendship. Perhaps, as with the Malta islanders, our welcome will be a temporary opportunity to show kindness. Regardless, our attitude of welcome to others, shows an openness to be part of God's plan. He is the great conservationist. Are we open to seeing how others' gifts and/or ideas can sanctify us? Are we willing to be open, kind and courteous as others pursue their calling with the Lord? Or, are we more concerned with forcing our agenda and/ or opinion?

(3)
For whom is this done?

• Nor for ourselves: We welcome others not simply for the bitterness, arrogance or self-centeredness that could develop if we did not. We also do not welcome others for the secondhand benefit they could provide us.

• Not for others: We welcome others not for the blessing it will provide through or to another.

We welcome others "in praise to God," trusting Him above all... a willingness to be part of His plan.

(4)
What about estrangement?

Life is complicated. Relationships are affected by our calling. It is quite obvious, that interactions with strangers will differ with calling. If I am called to Malta and never depart, I will never meet an individual who resides and remains in another country.

Similarly, my calling with those I've met are also affected by my calling. I may not correspond with a former classmate. This is not a "refusal to welcome them" but a calling to welcome others. It is just not possible to continue every past relationship.

Sadly too, I may not continue to engage in certain strained relationships. Again, this is not necessarily a "refusal to welcome" but a calling to engage with others.

Prayer:
Lord, how easy it could be to live a guilt-ridden, constantly-striving life!!! Oh the needs! We cannot meet them all. Only You are God!

Forgive us for trying so hard to salvage every relationship that our focus is less on welcoming others and more on proving something. Our interactions with them can so easily become an effort force the result or conclusion we desire. Our very kindness becomes self-seeking and an arrogant attempt to play "god".

At the same time, Lord, keep us from hypocrisy. Let us not allow our desire for authenticity to justify rudeness and insensitivity. Where we are confused, bring clarity. If we are paralyzed in doubt, allow us to rest in trust of your ability to intervene and reinsert people into our lives who we have lost. Help us to be more concerned with faithfully welcoming others in the callings you currently have for us rather than the reconciliations we have been unable to achieve or the greetings we are unable to give.

Comfort us for the goodbyes we grieve giving when our heart's desire would be to to welcome them also.