SCRIPTURE: “So then, we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another” (Romans 14:19 HCSB)
QUOTE: “The quality of our lives depends not on whether or not we have conflicts, but on how we respond to them.” – Thomas Crum
NOTE:
Addressing conflict and healing offenses should be a priority for us. Jesus even instructs us to postpone our worship if we remember an unresolved offense (Matthew. 5:23, 24). Conflicts will arise in any organization. Humans disagree because they are wired differently and have different agendas. Note what Jesus taught about organizational conflict when someone has clearly done wrong in Matthew 18:15-20, behind this process lies the authority Jesus has given to church leaders and God will confirm and support the decisions made in harmony because He is present when we gather in His name.
Sometimes, confrontation is the only way to resolution. Consider four steps to reach the heart of an issue:
- Be clear and direct
- Don’t draw attention to yourself
- Lay out the issue and ask for a decision
- Trust God to justify and reveal the truth
Though we are to have strong biblical convictions, we should attempt to keep these values in proper balance
ILLUSTRATION:
In Act 15:36-40, who was right and who was wrong in this intense argument between Paul and Barnabas? Perhaps they were both right and yet wrong—at least in the way they resolved the issue. Paul was intensely motivated by the spiritual goals outlined by Jesus in the Great Commission. Barnabas, though committed to the same goals, was relationally driven by his concern for people. He wanted to give John Mark another chance, but Paul felt this young man would be a deterrent in “the work” It appears Barnabas may have been more right. Just as he had believed in Paul when everyone in Jerusalem was skeptical (Acts 9:26-27), he also didn’t want Mark to experience that kind of discouragement. In fact, his concerns for Mark were so intense that he was willing to separate from his close friend and missionary companion in order to mentor this young man.
REFLECTION:
From both a biblical and a pragmatic point of view, how could Paul and Barnabas have resolved this conflict more amicably?
TWO YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 2 Samuel 5 – 7, Proverbs 23