After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there. – Acts 15:36-41
The passage above reminds us of a significant truth: it’s okay to disagree with fellow believers sometimes. Even two of the most committed servants of Christ – Paul and Barnabas – had a sharp disagreement! They had been traveling companions, spreading the Good News of Jesus to the Gentile world. They had faced danger, opposition, and success together. They were friends, brothers in Christ, and coworkers in God’s mission.
But when it came time to revisit the churches where they had previously preached, a disagreement arose. Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark along, but Paul disagreed. John Mark had left them during their first journey in Pamphylia, and Paul saw him as a deserter. Barnabas, however, saw a redeeming quality in John Mark and was determined to give him another chance.
This disagreement wasn’t trivial; it was sharp and unreconciled. Paul and Barnabas parted ways because of it. Paul chose Silas as his new partner, and Barnabas took John Mark. At first glance, it might seem like a sad ending to a powerful partnership, but God’s grace is evident even in this disagreement. Instead of one mission team, there were now two. The work of spreading the gospel was multiplied.
Paul’s new traveling companion, Silas, turned out to be an excellent partner. Silas was a Roman citizen with close ties to the Jerusalem church, making him an ideal co-laborer for the next phase of Paul’s missionary journey. During this time, Paul also met a young disciple named Timothy, who would become his spiritual son and eventually a key leader in the early church.
Interestingly enough, Paul’s view of John Mark eventually changed. Later in life, in his second letter to Timothy, Paul requests that Timothy bring John Mark with him because he found him to be helpful in ministry (2nd Timothy 4:11). So Paul came to recognize the value that Barnabas had seen in John Mark all along. Barnabas had not given up on John Mark, and eventually, neither did Paul.
Disagreements among believers are inevitable. Even the most faithful followers of Christ will not always see eye to eye. However, these differences should never hinder the mission of sharing Jesus with others. Paul and Barnabas parted ways, but they did not part in bitterness. Paul left with the believers’ prayers and their entrusting of his care to the Lord. They still cared for each other, even if they couldn’t reconcile their disagreement that day.
God can use our differences for His glory. When handled with grace and a commitment to His mission, they can serve a useful purpose.
So when we find ourselves with a differing viewpoint with a fellow believer, let’s remember that it’s okay to disagree. But let’s also keep in mind that when we do – we should always strive to do so in a way that honors God, values the other person, and stay focused on the bigger picture – sharing Jesus with a world that desperately needs Him.
Today’s Prayer: Lord, help us to handle our disagreements with grace and humility. May we always keep your mission at the forefront and seek unity in our diversity. Use our differences to further your kingdom and help us to love one another well, even when we don’t see eye to eye. Amen.
Former Blackout Artist 