Brotherly Strife!

I had a friend once tell me, “Where you have people you will have conflict.”  This is a very true statement, not only today but also in the life of the new and growing Church.  Acts 15:36-41 reveals to us a conflict that came about between two very respected leaders: Paul and Barnabas.  This conflict was not small nor was it insignificant.  In fact, it played a major role in the life of both men. 

In the church we tend to place Biblical characters (such as Paul) on such a high pedestal that we begin to place them in the realm of perfection, just a step down from God.  But in reality, they were human.  And being human means that they were sinful.  Paul and Barnabas have such a large disagreement that they actually part ways, never to travel together on a missionary journey again.  But was the conflict between them sinful?

What was this conflict?  Why couldn’t they work out their differences?    What type of affect does conflict have on us and those around us?  What type of consequences are there to conflict? Is conflict always a bad thing?

May we prayerfully prepare our hearts for what God is about to speak to us about conflict in our own lives.