IS IT WORTH THE FUSS?

IS IT WORTH THE FUSS?

Acts 15:36-40

36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

2 Tim 4:11

11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

          Driving along with a friend, I quipped that too many people seemed willing to trade a relationship for things. Then, when the “thing” breaks or wears out they wish they had their relationship back! I haven’t changed my mind about that.

          On their first missionary journey, Mark left the “team” and returned home to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). We do not know why John Mark left the team after its first term. We do know that his departure damaged his relationship with Paul and split the team.

          In over forty-two years of ministry, I have seen many such splits and departures and very few of them have been because of doctrinal error or essential policies. Most have been over personality issues and personal opinions as to just how things should be done. Some have been foolish but all have been painful.

          The good news is that God keeps working with both divided parties and sometimes a reconciliation is possible after some passing of time. Paul’s opinion of Mark in Acts 15 was “not good” but his opinion in Second Timothy chapter four was that he was now “profitable.” Who changed, Paul or Mark? The answer is that probably both men had changed. That is the nature of man and relationships. They change.

          Is the reason for your abandonment of your relationship worth all the fuss? Is it worth abandoning your church for another one? Is it really worth it? Preachers, is your firm stance on some issue worth the loss of a church member? Certainly we can’t compromise biblical teaching, but is your staunch stubbornness just stubbornness?

Dear Lord, heaven is near and our relationships are very valuable. Our Christian friends will spend eternity with us. Let me carefully guard my relationships from my own stubbornness. AMEN