Martin Wickens

In a previous post, I looked at the circumstances that led to Paul and Barnabas parting ways. You can read that here:

Disagreeing Agreeably When Differences are Not Doctrinal (1/2)

Now, I want to consider how we can prevent sharp divisions from happening and how we can resolve them when they have occurred.

From the wars that have shaped borders and birthed and destroyed nations to everyday products, like Adidas and Puma, disputes frame the world in which we live. Some battles justify themselves with genuine issues, others grow from unimportant or even imagined slights.

But what do we do, as brothers and sisters in Christ, when disputes arise that concern non-doctrinal matters?

Guiding Our Decisions

When decisions confront us or when disagreements arise, we should immediately consider three principles.

At the council in Jerusalem in Acts 15, they appealed to,

1. God’s Known Will (Peter’s vision of Cornelius in the past)
2. God’s Current Work (Paul and Barnabas’ work with the Gentiles in the present)
3. God’s Revealed Word (James’ expounding of the Bible and prophetic anticipation)

They prayed, fellowshipped, sought counsel, and found a solution. In non-doctrinal matters there are similar, though perhaps more difficult steps. Where there is no clear “Thou shalt” or “Thou shalt now” we have a more complicated situation. Emotions and preferences more readily rear their heads which makes resolutions more difficult.

So, what can we do? We follow a similar process.

What is God’s Revealed Will?

We need to take a step back and think about what we definitively know? We know several responsibilities and privileges of the local church:

1. We are to glorify God (Colossians 1:10-23)
2. We are to witness (Acts 1:8)
3. We are to encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
4. We are to equip for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-15)

As we approach the non-doctrinal matter we must consider if these basics are enabled or hindered by the decision at hand. They usually won’t resolve the matter, but they put us on a strong foundation.

What is God’s Current Work?

What is God already doing in our local church? If what we are doing is moving the explicit commands of God forwards, then will the decision at hand help or hinder us? Will it enhance or simply let those things continue? Can they be improved or is it time for a new approach?

What has God equipped us to do? For example. Let’s say someone feels like a church must have a foodbank to help those in need in the community. But what if the church has nowhere to store quantities of groceries? What if there is no one available to distribute the food items? It may be that the church must pray and see the Lord enable them. But it may also be that the limitations of the church are a way of discerning that that particular ministry is not one for that local church.

Guarding Our Spirit

Perhaps more important than guiding principles is that we guard our Spirit. Many times in non-doctrinal matters the problem arises in our hearts, not our heads. Here are a few principles I believe help prevent sharp divisions from arising out of non-doctrinal disagreements:

1. Let the Holy Spirit Rule and Overrule (Colossians 3:15; Galatians 5:22-23)
2. Love as God Loves (John 13:35)
3. Seek God’s Will, Not My Own (Psalm 37:4; 119:18; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18)
4. Submit to One Another (Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 13:7)
5. Start Afresh Each Day (Ephesians 4:26) [Don’t keep a list of disagreements or offenses]
6. Openness and Honesty (Colossians 3:9)

Getting the Victory

When Christians disagree either God or Satan will get the victory. When a sharp division has not been avoided, how do we get reconciliation?

1. Refocus Your Priorities – focus on what should have been the priority all along: Glorify God; share the Gospel; Encourage the Brethren
2. Understand the Seriousness of Unnecessary Division (Proverbs 6:16-19; James 3:14-16)
3. Understand Eachother (Proverbs 18:2, 13)
4. Demonstrate Humility (1 Peter 5:5)
5. Forgive and Forbear (Colossians 3:13)

Conclusion

Paul and Barnabas didn’t prevent their sharp contention and eventual division. But they did resolve things in the end.

The result?

Where there was one missionary team, now there were two. Strategically, this was a good thing. We want our work and workers to multiply.

The workers changed the work continued. Remember this, God will move on without you; God’s work does not rest on you. Don’t let your sin put you out of the battle for the cause of Christ.

This occasion demonstrates that God does not wait for perfect people or perfect teams; He graciously uses us as we are.

When we face such occasions, our goal should be to work without letting non-doctrinal issues cause division.

Prevention is better than cure
o Guide your decisions with Biblical principles and guard your heart to prevent disagreements on non-essentials from becoming contentious.
o Pride is usually at the heart of contentious, secondary issues.

Seek Biblical Resolutions
o Where contentions have become sharp determine to resolve them Biblically.
o For the glory of God
o For the love of the brethren
o For the furtherance of the Gospel

In non-doctrinal matters we need to endeavor to disagree agreeably:

• For the glory of God
• For the good of our church family.
• For the furtherance of the Gospel