Central Truth

We live in a fallen, imperfect world. However, God works amidst our imperfections to carry out His perfect will.

Reflections

I remember reading this passage so many times and thinking, "How unfortunate it is for these great men of God, that at this opportune time when the gospel needs to be spread across the nations, they end up fighting amongst themselves!" This was no minor disagreement. In fact, verse 39 indicates that it was a "sharp disagreement." It resulted in friends and fellow workers in Christ splitting and going in opposite directions. How could this be? After all, this was Paul and Barnabas!

Then I realized that just because they are great men of God doesn't mean they are perfect. They still struggle with the same "human-ness" that we do. They live in the same imperfect world in which we all live. It's easy to understand that when you put a few imperfect people together, some less-than-perfect situations are going to occur. This should not surprise us.

Furthermore, it shouldn’t keep us from doing God's will. How easy it would have been for Paul and Barnabas to get angry. And to sulk. And possibly, just give up! But that did not happen. The passage goes on to tell us, that although they went their separate ways, Paul and Silas each went throughout the region "strengthening the churches."

And what about John (also called Mark)? What became of him? We aren't really sure why John Mark left Paul and Barnabas in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13). But we know for sure that Paul was not happy about it. He seemed to think that this was was really wrong. So, how then did John Mark react to this rejection by Paul? John Mark continued on in his ministry, that's how. He is mentioned complimentarily in several places later on in Paul's letters - Col 4:10, 2 Tim 4:11, Philemon 24, and 1 Pet 5:13.

In fact in 2 Tim 4:11, Paul says, [P]ick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service." So even though Paul and/or John stumbled at one moment, God did not allow this to keep them from doing what God had planned for them.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever let the imperfection of God's people keep you from doing God's will? 
2. How did you feel when this happened?
3. How can you best deal with this when this happens?
4. Isn't it interesting sometimes, how we expect others to be perfect? 
5. How disappointed we are when they are not. When this happens, we should not get discouraged; but rather, we should realize that they are human. God can do great things  with them, with--and despite of--their weakness.  Look at the church that came about as a result of Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark's efforts.