Acts: Go & Be Chapters 10-18နမူနာ

What is the passage saying?

In Acts 13:13 it is briefly mentioned that John Mark, Barnabas’ cousin, deserted Paul and Barnabas as they were traveling to Pisidia. When the Holy Spirit appointed Paul and Barnabas to go on their missionary journeys John Mark was sent as their assistant in the ministry but he deserted them. So, when Paul approached Barnabas about returning to the cities, where they had shared the Gospel to check on their brethren, an argument began. Barnabas was insistent on bringing John Mark, but Paul was insistent on not bringing him. This argument was so bad it separated them to do their individual ministry with the partner of their choosing. In the previous passage we saw unity and now we see the exact opposite. Paul and Barnabas were godly men. They both had done wonderful things for the kingdom of God. It would be hard to understand this passage if we did not have 1 Corinthians 9:6. Paul and Barnabas reconcile. In Paul’s later writing he would speak highly of John Mark, saying how valuable he is to him. We can understand Paul’s initial frustration with John Mark and his hesitation to bring him again. And I guess we can understand Barnabas wanting to give family another chance. This story further shows us that unity is not by accident and can be fragile. God’s work was still done and to focus on the bright side, more ground was covered with them separating. The two men still completed the work of the Lord, and they would not stay angry with each other. They would reconcile and be once again in unity together.

What is the passage teaching?

This passage shows us that all men are fallen. You will disagree with fellow believers. There may be times of separation between you and another believer. If you do have a disagreement with another Christian, act like Christian throughout the whole process. Don’t burn bridges with believers. Do not try and ruin their reputation with other believers. Don’t speak bad about them to other believers. Reconciliation is always available to believers and should be given from a believer to a believer. People will hurt you; other Christians will hurt you. You will hurt other Christians. We are still sinful, but the Lord is making us better. As you continue in the sanctification process with the Lord, things that once bothered you won’t have the same affect in the future. You will change, grow, and become better. You may still have problems with fellow Christians, but the Lord will soften your reactions and give you words to speak. Like Paul and Barnabas we will get mad, but also like them, we can’t stay mad. It is a finite emotion that would seek to get you off course. Forgive as you have been forgiven. If that is our standard of forgiveness, we won’t be able to forgive enough.

How do I respond?

Understand that other Christians will fail you and you will fail them. Don’t allow this to define or determine anything about you. Do not pull away from the Lord, calling Him into question for the actions of fallen man. Don’t pull away from other believers. Hardships cannot touch your salvation. Don’t let hardships touch your joy. People are people, you are a sinner saved by grace. It is not fun at all to be hurt by another believer. But praise the Lord because He makes everything, even the bad things, into good things that make you love Him more.