PARTED COMPANY: Goodbook 02-08-12

Goodbook messages arrive every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with a Scripture reading and ideas for how to apply the reading in our lives. We are reading through the book of Acts. For additional Scripture reading, you can follow the Advanced Track.

Reading: Acts 15:36-41 (Advanced Track: Joshua 5-11)

³⁶ Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” ³⁷ Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, ³⁸ but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. ³⁹ They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, ⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹ He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Application:

What a tragic end to chapter 15. If you have been reading along with us, you know that chapter 15 was a major victory for unity in the church. The church, as a whole, decided to bridge the gap between people of different races and cultures and unite in the grace of God. Paul and Barnabas were the ones who delivered this message of unity. And now they have such a sharp disagreement that it causes division. They part company on bad terms, choose new partners in ministry, and go separate ways.

I guess it shows that no one is immune to disagreement, discord, and division. Even the champions for unity and grace had moments of weakness where they fostered division and unforgiveness. Truth be told, we can all probably identify relationships in our lives or in our churches that went south. Maybe we had a disagreement or falling out and parted ways on bad terms. Maybe we are in the midst of a relationship that is on the verge of falling apart. It happens to everyone, even the saints.

If you reflect on the story, you can see both sides of the disagreement. Paul was leery about bringing Mark back on the team after Mark deserted them. Makes sense. Barnabas was the one who gave Paul a chance after his conversion when no one else believed he was a changed person (Acts 9:26-27). Barnabas knew God’s love can change people. He wanted to give Mark another chance. Makes sense. And yet, rather than trying to understand the other’s point of view, they allowed their differences to divide them.

Fortunately, there is a happy ending. Paul had other dealings with Barnabas. And by the end of his life, Paul came to admire Mark so much that he requested him to come be with him during his final days (2 Tim 4:11). Love changes everything. Thanks to God’s grace, there is hope for broken relationship to be restored and people to be reunited.

1) Have you parted ways with someone on bad terms? Life’s too short and God’s grace is too good to harbor resentment. If it’s possible, make an effort to reunite with the person and restore the relationship.

2) Are you on the verge of parting ways with someone on bad terms? If it’s possible, make an effort to understand them and to show them the grace that God has shown you through Jesus Christ our Lord.

3) Give someone the opportunity to have a fresh start. Allow yourself that same chance.

Comment with your faith thoughts and applications…