Our goal as overcomers in loving Jesus is acting like Jesus by keeping (from being stolen) and observing (the Greek word: tereo) His commandments (rules). There’s a fact that we already are in unity through and in Jesus and we just need to diligently preserve it:
1 John 2:3-6 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to WALK IN THE SAME MANNER AS HE WALKED.
Then we bring glory to the Father:
John 17:4 I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me
One of the main ways we receive His glory now on this earth (John 17.22, 2 Cor. 3.18, 1 Pt. 1.8, Rom. 8.30, Psalm 8.5, etc.), and then bring glory to Him, is being perfected in unity, especially when we disagree, so that the unsaved world can be led back to God:
John 17:22-23 The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
It might be sequenced like this:
1. glory from God now: then when…
2. disagreement arises: we must be…
3. finding the Lord’s mind: which will allow us to be…
4. perfected in unity: which then brings…
5. glory back to God: so then the…
6. unsaved world sees God loves us and Jesus: to result in the…
7. unsaved led back to Him: which fulfills the eternal purpose of God…growing the kingdom of the Ancient of Days!
What was the Acts 15 situation? It was a reoccurring disagreement over Gentiles salvation (also see Acts 11.2 earlier), i.e. law or grace, how are they saved?
Observations from the narrative:
Verse 1 – Judean men come to Antioch and begin falsely teaching the brethren Gentiles you must be circumcised to be saved
V 2 – Paul (P) and Barnabas (B) have great dissension (rigorous debate) with Judean men; the brethren, WHOLE CHURCH in Antioch, are involved in decision to send them to Jerusalem to apostles and elders there
Note: the same Greek word used to: 1) describe dissention here in V 2 is also used in the Gospels in Mark 15:7, Luke 23:19, Luke 23:25; 2) describe a riot in Acts 19:40, and 3) more dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, Paul and crowds in Acts 23:7, Acts 23:10, Acts 24:5
V 3 – great joy as P & B relay the Gentiles conversion; notice no mention of any complaints over the debate
V 4 – P & B welcomed and received by the church and the apostles and elders
V 6, 7 – Much debate between P & B and apostles and elders
V 12 – “All the people” indicates the whole gathering, the body, was there (see v 4) as P & B relay signs and wonders God performed among Gentiles, a proof of His pleasure in them
V 13 – James waits until after P & B had stopped speaking, assuming uninterrupted speech
V 22 – Seemed “good” (vs. direct speaking from Holy Spirit like Acts 13.2) to apostles, elders, with whole gathering to choose other men to accompany P & B back to Antioch with the letter detailing the 3 points
The Church’s Decree, Craig Keener in IVP Bible Background Commentary – 15:22. When views were disputed in the later rabbinic academies, the majority view always prevailed; here a partial compromise (in favor of the Antioch church) seems to command consensus. Other Jewish groups also had “general sessions,” such as at Qumran, where the priests, elders and people would gather.
V 25 – “having become ONE MIND” – they worked at it, some maybe putting aside their claims in favor on a broader unity
V 31 – the whole Antioch congregation gathered, and greatly rejoiced because of its encouragement
Their methods were reflective of the kingdom of God:
¨ Wanted and went seeking the Lord’s mind, the Truth
¨ Humble in heart, poor in spirit, but not silent or shy and retiring
¨ Listened and questioned – seek to understand first, then to be understood
¨ Discuss, debate, “not a little” the Word says in V 2
¨ Willing to put aside some differences, but not put aside sin in peoples life, i.e. not OK to let the Judeans keep preaching that false message, or people trying to live it
¨ Prayer, council, get opinions
And…a church split is avoided!
4 Worldly methods are reflective of the kingdom of the world:
1. Quietly disappear, but not after first “discussing” the parties “faults” behind their back with no intention of collectively seeking the mind of the Lord for unity
2. “Discuss” – argue, maybe yell (you’re wrong, I’m right), then disappear
3. “Discuss” – argue, maybe yell (you’re wrong, I’m right), then leave, others leave too but go separate ways
4. “Discuss” – argue, maybe yell (you’re wrong, I’m right) then disappear, taking others to form new group
Finding His mind, i.e. getting from Point A to B with all parties takes time, patiently loving each other to hear each other out; accepting one another, being subject to one another, teaching one another, admonishing one another = loving one another
…Or:
a) arrogantly thinking our way is the only way and one needs to first convince the other person that he is wrong, i.e. it’s going from Point A (the disagreement) to your personal Point B without open and protracted debate, then the debate goes on and on from B, to B, to B, or..
b) the alternative often happens when people cave in before an agreement is reached (becoming “peacekeepers” vs. peacemakers), causing a false consensus to appear in the interest of real agreement. In either case, the disagreement is never resolved, and we efface the glory of God by our eventual disunity.
How might we find the Lord’s mind, then?
Active Listening:
1. Accept one another (except perhaps a proven evil worker or dog)
2. Have some meals together, celebrate Jesus
3. Seek first to understand, then to be understood
4. Give full attention:
¨ make eye contact,
¨ acknowledge the words spoken
¨ Don’t just wait to talk, i.e. staring off to think of a response, shuffle through Bible, maybe seeing how you might top the story
5. Be patient by letting them finish, don’t interrupt
6. Ask questions to clarify their position and opinion
7. Repeat their position back to them for complete understanding
8. Pause before response
9. Confirm your love for them
10. Don’t agree if you don’t
11. OK to ask others for advice
12. Ask if they care to look in the word, may take time and several sessions
13. Pray to Jesus for help from His Holy Spirit
Remember:
¨ Be at peace with all men as much as it depends on you.
¨ Most American’s have been taught to convince you you’re wrong and they’re right, and to reject you when you don’t agree with them.
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From The Peacemaker by Ken Sande
Resolving conflict with Four basic principles:
1) Glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31). Biblical peacemaking is motivated and directed by a desire to please and honor God. His interests, reputations, and commands should take precedence over all other considerations. This focus not only shows our love and respect for God but also protects us from the impulsive, self-centered decisions that make conflicts even worse.
2) Get the log out of your eye (Matt. 7:5). Peacemaking requires facing up to our own attitudes, faults, and responsibilities before pointing out what others have done wrong. Overlooking the minor offenses of others and honestly admitting our own faults often will encourage similar responses from our opponents and open the way for candid dialogue, reconciliation, and constructive negotiation.
3) Go and show your brother his fault (Matt. 18:15). At times peacemaking also requires constructive confrontation. When others fail to accept responsibility for their actions, we may need to confront them in a gracious yet firm manner. If they refuse to respond appropriately, we may need to involve respected friends, church leaders, or other neutral individuals who can help restore peace.
4) Go and be reconciled (Matt. 5:24). Finally, peacemaking involves a commitment to restoring damaged relationships and developing agreements that are just and satisfactory to everyone involved. Forgiveness and cooperative negotiation clear away the debris left by conflict and make possible reconciliation and genuine peace
Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
Your friend and brother in fighting the good fight,
Marc
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Saints, we’re one day closer to Home, and Him! Love Him wholeheartedly!
You may view our Archives here: MONDAY MANNA – ARCHIVES; Complete Archives; feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion. May our Father richly bless you with His grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in order to walk worthy of His name.
Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.