Agreement and Disagreement

Thursday   10-22-15  Home in Modesto

Scripture reading:    Job 11-12   Acts 15-16

S=Scripture O=Observation A=Application P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Acts 15:25-27  So it seemed good to us, having unanimously agreed on our decision, to send you these official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 15:39  Their disagreement over this was so sharp that they separated.  NLT

O.  The leadership of the early Church met and agreed unanimously to not burden the non-Jewish converts with the Jewish ceremonial laws, such as circumcision.  Unanimous agreement, praise God!  Now in the same chapter Paul and Barnabas, best friends and dedicated servants of the Lord, have a sharp disagreement over John Mark. They split into two teams and go separate ways. 

A.  I like Barnabas.  He was ready to forgive and give John Mark a second chance.  Paul, the “teacher of grace”, showed no grace at all for John Mark and refused to take him along.  Many years later Paul would ‘eat humble pie’ and recognize John Mark’s great value.** 

What does this teach me?  That great men of God are still flawed human beings.  That God does not toss us into the garbage can when our flaws show up.  Like the Potter in Jeremiah’s story, He just throws the flawed lump of clay back onto the potter’s wheel, wets it down with His Holy Spirit and works us into something new and better.

P.  Lord God, how many times could You have easily tossed me out as useless... were it not for Your grace and mercy?!  How many times have You crumpled up this flawed lump of clay and thrown me back on the Potter’s wheel?  How many times has Your Holy Spirit washed over me, cleansing me?  How many times have You forgiven me and given me another chance?  You took a nasty disagreement between two of Your choice men and created two dedicated teams instead of one.  Somehow, You are able to even re-make our messy lives into something beautiful and useful.  You are both our Creator and our Re-Creator.  Amen.

Ralph

** 2 Tim 4:11-12  Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. NIV