Daily Devotional for Thursday, March 2nd

The Disagreement in Antioch

“Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also,” Acts 15:35.

Mike and Jim graduated seminary together. They were like-minded, adventurous and had evangelistic hearts. They set out on an itinerant preaching circuit doing street evangelism between Sunday appointments. Hundreds were saved through their efforts. They returned to their alma mater to preach for the seminary’s mission focus week. Mike suggested bringing along Thomas, a budding preacher with a heart for missions, as they set out again. Mike could see great potential in him; however, Jim knew Thomas had declined their invitation two years earlier. He was against Thomas joining them this time.
At the end of Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas decided to revisit their previous mission points, and Barnabas wanted John Mark to join them. “But Paul thought not good to take him with them” (Acts 15:38). John Mark made a decision in Pamphylia that led Paul to question Barnabas’ suggestion. It is not clear if John Mark’s decision was perceived as desertion and flightiness or if Paul was concerned about the young churches, but Paul disagreed with Barnabas. Although this led to a sharp argument and parting of ways, the Lord was still at work. Acts 15:35 says Paul and Barnabas were preaching “with many others also.” This conflict gave opportunity for others to join the dynamic duo and cover more ground with the gospel, and it was only for a season. Later, in 2 Timothy 4:11, we see Paul asking for John Mark to join him. He told Timothy John Mark “is profitable to me for the ministry.”
Conflict, though uncomfortable and sometimes insurmountable, is not outside God’s work space. Returning to Mike and Jim, Mike took Thomas and Jim took another young preacher, Todd, and they went in opposite directions. Within a year, both teams had planted two thriving churches. God can mold conflict to further His gospel in ways we may never imagine.

THOUGHT: Never underestimate what God can do through conflict among the brethren.

Kelli Reynolds