Paul and Barnabas...God's “perfect” will in their separation?

Paul and Barnabas...God's “perfect” will in their separation?

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Scriptures: Acts 15:36-41; Ephesians 4:2-4; Philippians 2:1-3

In the book of Acts, we read of Paul and Barnabas going their separate ways. Paul chose to take Silas with him, going through Syria to strengthen the churches there. Barnabas chose to take John-Mark with him.

God did use both new teams (Paul and Silas) and (Barnabas and John-Mark).

John-Mark came back later and was considered “useful” in the ministry by Paul. So most likely, Barnabas took John-Mark “under his wing” and began pouring into him...discipling John-Mark.

And Paul and Silas did go to Syria to strengthen the churches there.

But was it God's perfect will for Paul and Barnabas to have a sharp disagreement over John-Mark?

Maybe, Barnabas could have approached Paul and told him that God had put it on his (Barnabas's) heart to disciple John-Mark. Maybe Paul could have told Barnabas to go ahead with the grace of God and do that. But neither one of them (Paul and Barnabas) were perfect. Just like the rest of us, they still had a sin nature that is selfish.

Later in the book of Ephesians, Paul writes to the church there to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”. Then in Philippians, he stresses to be of “one accord, one mind and esteem others better than yourself”. It seems that Paul had a “change of heart” somewhere along the way.

Evidence that God does change us from “glory to glory” over the years as we follow Him daily.

In Christ our Lord,

Don