Acts 15: 1-11
When a decision needs to be made and both sides feel differently, how is the impasse resolved? These are tough times. We hear all the time about the 50/50 Senate of the USA and the deciding vote then goes to our Vice President. I want to marry but my parents don’t approve. I may resort to prayer. I may enlist the testimony of others to persuade my parents. A doctor gives a prognosis of 50/50 chances and I may seek another opinion. My favorite memory is my small twins fighting over a toy they both wanted. One would say, “I had it first!” The other would say, “Our big brother gave it to me!” I had to mediate. As they got older “height makes right,” and “might makes right” became mantras.
Paul and Barnabas return from their first missionary journey around Turkey to find the body of believers in Antioch divided about how Gentiles are to be welcomed into fellowship. Many felt new believers should enter Christianity by becoming circumcised and becoming Jews first. Others saw Christianity as a new forming dynamic that was not dependent on a commitment to the Judaic laws. The Holy Spirit had blessed both sets of believers. It might seem silly to us today but it was a serious question then and a fork in the road of faith for new believers. Swabbles in the church cause divisions and drive people away.
Those early believers decided is to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to the “elders.” It is not unlike referring to the Pope or referring to the Supreme Court. They resorted to the advice of a wiser, more experienced body of people. So how do we make a decision when we get stuck between two very reasonable explanations and ways forward? Very seldom does a decision need to be made immediately but rather taking a breath, counting to ten, getting advise, doing more research, talking to someone respected are all good coping strategies.
Spend a few minutes to list the wise elders in your life and thank God for them. We might ask God to reveal any thorns that have gotten under our skin and that we have allowed to fester and destroy fellowship. It may be time to seek forgiveness or forgive. We don’t have to send representatives to Congress or Jerusalem. We only need to talk to God and listen! Blessings.
“Tie Breakers”
Acts 15: 1-11
When a decision needs to be made and both sides feel differently, how is the impasse resolved? These are tough times. We hear all the time about the 50/50 Senate of the USA and the deciding vote then goes to our Vice President. I want to marry but my parents don’t approve. I may resort to prayer. I may enlist the testimony of others to persuade my parents. A doctor gives a prognosis of 50/50 chances and I may seek another opinion. My favorite memory is my small twins fighting over a toy they both wanted. One would say, “I had it first!” The other would say, “Our big brother gave it to me!” I had to mediate. As they got older “height makes right,” and “might makes right” became mantras.
Paul and Barnabas return from their first missionary journey around Turkey to find the body of believers in Antioch divided about how Gentiles are to be welcomed into fellowship. Many felt new believers should enter Christianity by becoming circumcised and becoming Jews first. Others saw Christianity as a new forming dynamic that was not dependent on a commitment to the Judaic laws. The Holy Spirit had blessed both sets of believers. It might seem silly to us today but it was a serious question then and a fork in the road of faith for new believers. Swabbles in the church cause divisions and drive people away.
Those early believers decided is to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to the “elders.” It is not unlike referring to the Pope or referring to the Supreme Court. They resorted to the advice of a wiser, more experienced body of people. So how do we make a decision when we get stuck between two very reasonable explanations and ways forward? Very seldom does a decision need to be made immediately but rather taking a breath, counting to ten, getting advise, doing more research, talking to someone respected are all good coping strategies.
Spend a few minutes to list the wise elders in your life and thank God for them. We might ask God to reveal any thorns that have gotten under our skin and that we have allowed to fester and destroy fellowship. It may be time to seek forgiveness or forgive. We don’t have to send representatives to Congress or Jerusalem. We only need to talk to God and listen! Blessings.
On the Way to Wonder 