Jesus died so that his children might live in peace, and multiply that gospel peace throughout the world. There should not be conflict in the church nor among the people of God. We are redeemed, given grace upon grace. We recognize sin, we repent from it, and forgive it in others when they ask. We should all be in one accord for the same Spirit fills us all. We are to lay down our lives for one another, consider others better than ourselves, and honor our brothers and sisters. The congregation is a sanctuary, a place of peace and refuge from a fallen world and sinful conflict.
We should not have conflict in the church. But we often do. We should not have conflict in our families, but we often do. Likewise, we often have conflict in the church. Why? We still sin. James 4:1, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”
Paul and Barnabas had a great conflict over John Mark (Acts 15:36-41). On the first missionary journey, John Mark had turned back in Pamphilia We don’t know why he did so. Was he troubled by the Gentile mission? Was he afraid? Was he homesick? We only know that he turned back from the mission. He had not gone with them to the work. Acts 13:13, “And John left them and returned to Jerusalem.”
John Mark was Barnabas’s cousin. Mary, his mother, owned a large home in Jerusalem. It was the home of the prayer meeting when Peter escaped prison and came to the door. John Mark was most likely the author of the Gospel of Mark. He was the occasion of the conflict.
Barnabas was the son of encouragement. He was the first to welcome Paul in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-27) and he was quick to receive and restore John Mark. He had a conflict with Paul!
Paul and Barnabas had a sharp disagreement about taking John Mark with them on the second missionary journey. They had a “paroxysmos” about his qualifications for ministry. So they separated. And in their unfortunate divide, they doubled the missionary force! God still used separation to forward his work.
Later, there was reconciliation. Paul had good words for both Barnabas and Mark (1 Corinthians 9:6; 2 Corinthians 8-18-19 (likely speaking of Barnabas); Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry).
In a sinful world, we will have conflict. In a sinful church, we will have conflict. God rules and overrules our conflicts for good, provides for the future ministry of the church and opens the possibility for future reconciliation. (Paul and John Mark were apparently reconciled).
Walk with God through church conflicts. Learn from them and grow. “Though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.” Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry in your conflicts. Don’t take things personally – it is not about you. If you are wrong, confess it – seek forgiveness. Pray, take a stand where you must knowing that you still might be wrong. Strive to honor Christ, even in separation and conflict.