Can followers of Jesus disagree? | Acts 15:36-41 (Part 1) | Join The Journey Podcast

All right. All right. Join the Journey All right. All right. Join the Journey family, friends, and guests. You're family, friends, and guests. You're family, friends, and guests. You're listening to Join the Journey podcast listening to Join the Journey podcast listening to Join the Journey podcast with your host, Emma, Daughter. with your host, Emma, Daughter. with your host, Emma, Daughter. Thanks for joining. This week, we are Thanks for joining. This week, we are Thanks for joining. This week, we are reading Acts 15:36-41. reading Acts 15:36-41. reading Acts 15:36-41. And today, we're answering the And today, we're answering the And today, we're answering the questions, why did Paul and Barnabas questions, why did Paul and Barnabas questions, why did Paul and Barnabas disagree? And is it okay for believers disagree? And is it okay for believers disagree? And is it okay for believers to disagree? Just a few weeks ago, the to disagree? Just a few weeks ago, the to disagree? Just a few weeks ago, the San Antonio Spurs and the New York San Antonio Spurs and the New York San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks wrapped up the NBA Finals. And if Knicks wrapped up the NBA Finals. And if Knicks wrapped up the NBA Finals. And if you're into basketball, you know what you're into basketball, you know what you're into basketball, you know what the finals do to people. Everybody picks the finals do to people. Everybody picks the finals do to people. Everybody picks a side. Being from San Antonio, I was a side. Being from San Antonio, I was a side. Being from San Antonio, I was pulling hard for the Spurs. Meanwhile, pulling hard for the Spurs. Meanwhile, pulling hard for the Spurs. Meanwhile, Christian artist Forest Frank, who's Christian artist Forest Frank, who's Christian artist Forest Frank, who's very popular, was sitting what seems very popular, was sitting what seems very popular, was sitting what seems like basically courtside cheering on the like basically courtside cheering on the like basically courtside cheering on the Knicks. Knicks. Knicks. Same game though I was watching on TV, Same game though I was watching on TV, Same game though I was watching on TV, same stakes, same desire to see someone same stakes, same desire to see someone same stakes, same desire to see someone win, but completely opposite hopes for win, but completely opposite hopes for win, but completely opposite hopes for how it would end. It's interesting is how it would end. It's interesting is how it would end. It's interesting is that as far as I can tell, I'm pretty that as far as I can tell, I'm pretty that as far as I can tell, I'm pretty confident Forest Frank and I are both confident Forest Frank and I are both confident Forest Frank and I are both followers of Jesus. We both believe the followers of Jesus. We both believe the followers of Jesus. We both believe the same gospel, worship the same savior, same gospel, worship the same savior, same gospel, worship the same savior, and belong to the same family. Yet in and belong to the same family. Yet in and belong to the same family. Yet in that moment, we wanted opposite that moment, we wanted opposite that moment, we wanted opposite outcomes.

outcomes. outcomes. Why or how? Well, not every disagreement Why or how? Well, not every disagreement Why or how? Well, not every disagreement is over something ultimate. It seems is over something ultimate. It seems is over something ultimate. It seems pretty obvious. It's just a game. Some pretty obvious. It's just a game. Some pretty obvious. It's just a game. Some things are secondary. Preference, things are secondary. Preference, things are secondary. Preference, perspective, conviction, and wisdom perspective, conviction, and wisdom perspective, conviction, and wisdom means learning the difference between means learning the difference between means learning the difference between that which is essential and that which that which is essential and that which that which is essential and that which is secondary or tertiary. It's what is secondary or tertiary. It's what is secondary or tertiary. It's what makes Acts 15 so compelling because here makes Acts 15 so compelling because here makes Acts 15 so compelling because here we find Paul and Barnabas, two men who we find Paul and Barnabas, two men who we find Paul and Barnabas, two men who loved Jesus deeply, were filled with the loved Jesus deeply, were filled with the loved Jesus deeply, were filled with the spirit and had suffered together for the spirit and had suffered together for the spirit and had suffered together for the sake of the gospel. They weren't casual sake of the gospel. They weren't casual sake of the gospel. They weren't casual ministry partners or strangers across ministry partners or strangers across ministry partners or strangers across the country as Forest Frank and I are. the country as Forest Frank and I are. the country as Forest Frank and I are. Barnabas, he was the one who vouched for Barnabas, he was the one who vouched for Barnabas, he was the one who vouched for Paul when no one else would. And yet Paul when no one else would. And yet Paul when no one else would. And yet here they come to a sharp disagreement. here they come to a sharp disagreement. here they come to a sharp disagreement. so serious they separate not over so serious they separate not over so serious they separate not over doctrine, not over the gospel, but over doctrine, not over the gospel, but over doctrine, not over the gospel, but over John Mark. Which raises the question, is John Mark. Which raises the question, is John Mark. Which raises the question, is it okay for believers to disagree? And it okay for believers to disagree? And it okay for believers to disagree? And if so, how do we know when a if so, how do we know when a if so, how do we know when a disagreement is about something central disagreement is about something central disagreement is about something central or something secondary? Disagreement in or something secondary? Disagreement in or something secondary? Disagreement in the church, it can feel unsettling. When the church, it can feel unsettling. When the church, it can feel unsettling. When two followers of Jesus, especially two two followers of Jesus, especially two two followers of Jesus, especially two mature, faithful followers of Jesus see mature, faithful followers of Jesus see mature, faithful followers of Jesus see something differently, something differently, something differently, our instinct can be to assume somebody our instinct can be to assume somebody our instinct can be to assume somebody must be compromised, somebody must be must be compromised, somebody must be must be compromised, somebody must be less spiritual, someone must not be

less spiritual, someone must not be less spiritual, someone must not be yielding to the spirit or somebody must yielding to the spirit or somebody must yielding to the spirit or somebody must be in sin. So if we don't know how to be in sin. So if we don't know how to be in sin. So if we don't know how to distinguish between a disagreement over distinguish between a disagreement over distinguish between a disagreement over the gospel and a disagreement over the gospel and a disagreement over the gospel and a disagreement over wisdom, preference, or timing, we can wisdom, preference, or timing, we can wisdom, preference, or timing, we can either divide over things that shouldn't either divide over things that shouldn't either divide over things that shouldn't divide us or worse, minimize things that divide us or worse, minimize things that divide us or worse, minimize things that actually matter a lot. Acts 15 teaches actually matter a lot. Acts 15 teaches actually matter a lot. Acts 15 teaches us how to live in the tension of us how to live in the tension of us how to live in the tension of Christian unity without demanding Christian unity without demanding Christian unity without demanding Christian uniformity. It reminds us that Christian uniformity. It reminds us that Christian uniformity. It reminds us that believers will disagree. This isn't an believers will disagree. This isn't an believers will disagree. This isn't an if, it's a when. We will. Not because if, it's a when. We will. Not because if, it's a when. We will. Not because the gospel is unclear, but because we're the gospel is unclear, but because we're the gospel is unclear, but because we're human. We're finite. And sometimes we human. We're finite. And sometimes we human. We're finite. And sometimes we see the same situation from different see the same situation from different see the same situation from different angles. So the question is then, how do angles. So the question is then, how do angles. So the question is then, how do we disagree in a way that protects both we disagree in a way that protects both we disagree in a way that protects both truth and love? And the first thing this truth and love? And the first thing this truth and love? And the first thing this week's passage shows us is that faithful week's passage shows us is that faithful week's passage shows us is that faithful believers can disagree over wisdom or believers can disagree over wisdom or believers can disagree over wisdom or what's a wise choice without disagreeing what's a wise choice without disagreeing what's a wise choice without disagreeing over truth. Capital Truth. The over truth. Capital Truth. The over truth. Capital Truth. The essentials of the faith. Let me say that essentials of the faith. Let me say that essentials of the faith. Let me say that again. Faithful believers can disagree again. Faithful believers can disagree again. Faithful believers can disagree over what would be a wise choice without over what would be a wise choice without over what would be a wise choice without disagreeing over the essentials of disagreeing over the essentials of disagreeing over the essentials of faith. Acts 15 comes right on the heels faith. Acts 15 comes right on the heels faith. Acts 15 comes right on the heels of the Jerusalem council where Paul and of the Jerusalem council where Paul and of the Jerusalem council where Paul and Barnabas had just fought side by side

Barnabas had just fought side by side Barnabas had just fought side by side for the purity of the gospel. They were for the purity of the gospel. They were for the purity of the gospel. They were united on what was essential that united on what was essential that united on what was essential that salvation comes by faith alone in Christ salvation comes by faith alone in Christ salvation comes by faith alone in Christ alone. There was no division there. But alone. There was no division there. But alone. There was no division there. But now just a few verses later, they're in now just a few verses later, they're in now just a few verses later, they're in a sharp conflict. a sharp conflict. a sharp conflict. Not over theology or doctrine or the Not over theology or doctrine or the Not over theology or doctrine or the mission itself, but over whether or not mission itself, but over whether or not mission itself, but over whether or not John Mark should come with them. That's John Mark should come with them. That's John Mark should come with them. That's a different category entirely. Barnabas a different category entirely. Barnabas a different category entirely. Barnabas looked at Mark and saw potential. Paul looked at Mark and saw potential. Paul looked at Mark and saw potential. Paul looked at Mark and saw someone who'd looked at Mark and saw someone who'd looked at Mark and saw someone who'd previously walked away. Same person, previously walked away. Same person, previously walked away. Same person, same history, different conclusions. same history, different conclusions. same history, different conclusions. Barnabas leaned toward restoration. Paul Barnabas leaned toward restoration. Paul Barnabas leaned toward restoration. Paul leaned toward caution. Neither man was leaned toward caution. Neither man was leaned toward caution. Neither man was abandoning his faith. They were just abandoning his faith. They were just abandoning his faith. They were just making judgment calls. So again, this making judgment calls. So again, this making judgment calls. So again, this story is super helpful because it shows story is super helpful because it shows story is super helpful because it shows us that not every disagreement belongs us that not every disagreement belongs us that not every disagreement belongs in the same category. Some things are in the same category. Some things are in the same category. Some things are non-negotiable. Who Jesus is, how non-negotiable. Who Jesus is, how non-negotiable. Who Jesus is, how someone is saved, the authority of God's someone is saved, the authority of God's someone is saved, the authority of God's word, those are truths worth contending word, those are truths worth contending word, those are truths worth contending for.

for. for. But there are other issues. questions of But there are other issues. questions of But there are other issues. questions of timing, leadership, strategy, or wisdom timing, leadership, strategy, or wisdom timing, leadership, strategy, or wisdom where mature believers may have where mature believers may have where mature believers may have different convictions. They may land in different convictions. They may land in different convictions. They may land in different places. After all, Romans 14 different places. After all, Romans 14 different places. After all, Romans 14 speaks to this and gives us instruction speaks to this and gives us instruction speaks to this and gives us instruction on how we should handle these on how we should handle these on how we should handle these convictional differences. If we treat convictional differences. If we treat convictional differences. If we treat every disagreement as if it's a every disagreement as if it's a every disagreement as if it's a disagreement surrounding the gospel, an disagreement surrounding the gospel, an disagreement surrounding the gospel, an essential component of our faith, we'll essential component of our faith, we'll essential component of our faith, we'll create division where there doesn't need create division where there doesn't need create division where there doesn't need to be division. But if we treat to be division. But if we treat to be division. But if we treat everything like it's secondary, we'll everything like it's secondary, we'll everything like it's secondary, we'll lose our ability to stand firm when lose our ability to stand firm when lose our ability to stand firm when truth is actually on the line. So part truth is actually on the line. So part truth is actually on the line. So part of growing in maturity is learning the of growing in maturity is learning the of growing in maturity is learning the difference. This leads us to the second difference. This leads us to the second difference. This leads us to the second thing I noticed in the story. Conflict thing I noticed in the story. Conflict thing I noticed in the story. Conflict often exposes what we value most. Paul often exposes what we value most. Paul often exposes what we value most. Paul and Barnabas weren't just disagreeing and Barnabas weren't just disagreeing and Barnabas weren't just disagreeing about John Mark. They were operating about John Mark. They were operating about John Mark. They were operating from different priorities. Paul from different priorities. Paul from different priorities. Paul remembered that Mark had left them on remembered that Mark had left them on remembered that Mark had left them on their first missionary journey. That's their first missionary journey. That's their first missionary journey. That's Acts 13:13, which reads, "Now Paul and Acts 13:13, which reads, "Now Paul and Acts 13:13, which reads, "Now Paul and his companions set sail from Papus and his companions set sail from Papus and his companions set sail from Papus and came to Perga and Pamilia, and John left came to Perga and Pamilia, and John left came to Perga and Pamilia, and John left them and returned to Jerusalem." That them and returned to Jerusalem." That them and returned to Jerusalem." That short sentence carries a lot of weight short sentence carries a lot of weight short sentence carries a lot of weight and it does leave us with a lot of and it does leave us with a lot of and it does leave us with a lot of questions because Luke, as he's writing questions because Luke, as he's writing questions because Luke, as he's writing the book of Acts, he didn't explain why the book of Acts, he didn't explain why the book of Acts, he didn't explain why John left. But many scholars believe John left. But many scholars believe John left. But many scholars believe Paul viewed this as desertion. We know Paul viewed this as desertion. We know Paul viewed this as desertion. We know that because in Acts 15:38, Luke writes,

that because in Acts 15:38, Luke writes, that because in Acts 15:38, Luke writes, "But Paul thought best not to take with "But Paul thought best not to take with "But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them and them one who had withdrawn from them and them one who had withdrawn from them and had not gone with them to the work." And had not gone with them to the work." And had not gone with them to the work." And that Greek word for withdrawn there, the that Greek word for withdrawn there, the that Greek word for withdrawn there, the implication is desertion. implication is desertion. implication is desertion. Perhaps this desertion was because he'd Perhaps this desertion was because he'd Perhaps this desertion was because he'd seen firsthand what it costs to carry seen firsthand what it costs to carry seen firsthand what it costs to carry the gospel into challenging the gospel into challenging the gospel into challenging environments. And Paul maybe wasn't environments. And Paul maybe wasn't environments. And Paul maybe wasn't eager to bring along someone who he eager to bring along someone who he eager to bring along someone who he wasn't sure he could count on. Paul's wasn't sure he could count on. Paul's wasn't sure he could count on. Paul's focus was mission, reliability, focus was mission, reliability, focus was mission, reliability, stewardship, urgency. After all, Silas stewardship, urgency. After all, Silas stewardship, urgency. After all, Silas was an invaluable partner because of his was an invaluable partner because of his was an invaluable partner because of his position as a representative of the position as a representative of the position as a representative of the Jerusalem church, his Roman citizenship, Jerusalem church, his Roman citizenship, Jerusalem church, his Roman citizenship, his role as a as a prophet, social his role as a as a prophet, social his role as a as a prophet, social capital, and Silas's proficiency in capital, and Silas's proficiency in capital, and Silas's proficiency in Greek. Barnabas on the other hand saw Greek. Barnabas on the other hand saw Greek. Barnabas on the other hand saw something different in Mark. Mind you, something different in Mark. Mind you, something different in Mark. Mind you, this is the same Barnabas who vouched this is the same Barnabas who vouched this is the same Barnabas who vouched for Paul when no one else trusted him. for Paul when no one else trusted him. for Paul when no one else trusted him. The same Barnabas whose name means son The same Barnabas whose name means son The same Barnabas whose name means son of encouragement. He looked at Mark and of encouragement. He looked at Mark and of encouragement. He looked at Mark and saw potential, growth, possibility for saw potential, growth, possibility for saw potential, growth, possibility for restoration.

restoration. restoration. Some scholars even point out that it Some scholars even point out that it Some scholars even point out that it seems Mark was Barnabas's nephew based seems Mark was Barnabas's nephew based seems Mark was Barnabas's nephew based on Colossians 4:10. It's likely Barnabas on Colossians 4:10. It's likely Barnabas on Colossians 4:10. It's likely Barnabas wanted to give him another chance wanted to give him another chance wanted to give him another chance because of how deeply he cared for him. because of how deeply he cared for him. because of how deeply he cared for him. His focus was on seeing Barnabas as a His focus was on seeing Barnabas as a His focus was on seeing Barnabas as a person, a person he deeply loved. Grace, person, a person he deeply loved. Grace, person, a person he deeply loved. Grace, patience, redemption. patience, redemption. patience, redemption. However, what's striking is that both However, what's striking is that both However, what's striking is that both Paul and Barnabas, both of their Paul and Barnabas, both of their Paul and Barnabas, both of their instincts reflect truth about the heart instincts reflect truth about the heart instincts reflect truth about the heart of God. God is both holy and merciful. of God. God is both holy and merciful. of God. God is both holy and merciful. He does value truth and restoration. He does value truth and restoration. He does value truth and restoration. mission and people as well as justice. mission and people as well as justice. mission and people as well as justice. Sin has consequences. So this conflict, Sin has consequences. So this conflict, Sin has consequences. So this conflict, it's not as simple as one man being it's not as simple as one man being it's not as simple as one man being right and the other being wrong. It right and the other being wrong. It right and the other being wrong. It could be more than that, more revealing could be more than that, more revealing could be more than that, more revealing than that. Conflict has a way of than that. Conflict has a way of than that. Conflict has a way of bringing our priorities to the surface. bringing our priorities to the surface. bringing our priorities to the surface. And neither of those men, neither Paul And neither of those men, neither Paul And neither of those men, neither Paul or Barnabas necessarily had bad or Barnabas necessarily had bad or Barnabas necessarily had bad priorities. Just this conflict just priorities. Just this conflict just priorities. Just this conflict just shows us what they protected or what shows us what they protected or what shows us what they protected or what they feared. what we love most. Conflict they feared. what we love most. Conflict they feared. what we love most. Conflict reveals what's going on in our heart.

reveals what's going on in our heart. reveals what's going on in our heart. And sometimes the question underneath And sometimes the question underneath And sometimes the question underneath the disagreement isn't just what do I the disagreement isn't just what do I the disagreement isn't just what do I think, but rather why do I care so think, but rather why do I care so think, but rather why do I care so deeply about this? deeply about this? deeply about this? Now, the third thing this passage Now, the third thing this passage Now, the third thing this passage teaches us is that God can redeem teaches us is that God can redeem teaches us is that God can redeem relational fracture without calling relational fracture without calling relational fracture without calling fracture good. Paul and Barnabas fracture good. Paul and Barnabas fracture good. Paul and Barnabas separated here. Luke presents us with separated here. Luke presents us with separated here. Luke presents us with the facts. He didn't try to soften it or the facts. He didn't try to soften it or the facts. He didn't try to soften it or justify it. He just tells us what justify it. He just tells us what justify it. He just tells us what happens. Which also means he's not happens. Which also means he's not happens. Which also means he's not necessarily endorsing this separation. necessarily endorsing this separation. necessarily endorsing this separation. He's just informing us on what happened. He's just informing us on what happened. He's just informing us on what happened. Which is a good reminder that Paul and Which is a good reminder that Paul and Which is a good reminder that Paul and Barnabas weren't perfect. Though their Barnabas weren't perfect. Though their Barnabas weren't perfect. Though their legends of the faith and the scriptures legends of the faith and the scriptures legends of the faith and the scriptures speak very highly of them, they were speak very highly of them, they were speak very highly of them, they were both broken people. And their both broken people. And their both broken people. And their disagreement was legitimate. Even though disagreement was legitimate. Even though disagreement was legitimate. Even though they traveled together, suffered they traveled together, suffered they traveled together, suffered together, and fought for the gospel together, and fought for the gospel together, and fought for the gospel together, and Barnabas had stood beside together, and Barnabas had stood beside together, and Barnabas had stood beside Paul when others doubted him, and their Paul when others doubted him, and their Paul when others doubted him, and their partnership was deeply significant, they partnership was deeply significant, they partnership was deeply significant, they parted ways. So when Luke tells us that parted ways. So when Luke tells us that parted ways. So when Luke tells us that happened, we should feel the weight of happened, we should feel the weight of happened, we should feel the weight of it. But yet, despite this disagreement, it. But yet, despite this disagreement, it. But yet, despite this disagreement, God was still at work. Paul took Silas God was still at work. Paul took Silas God was still at work. Paul took Silas and headed through Syria and Cissia, and headed through Syria and Cissia, and headed through Syria and Cissia, strengthening churches.

strengthening churches. strengthening churches. What looked like one missionary team What looked like one missionary team What looked like one missionary team being broken apart in two fractured being broken apart in two fractured being broken apart in two fractured parts actually became two missionary parts actually became two missionary parts actually became two missionary teams moving the gospel forward. The teams moving the gospel forward. The teams moving the gospel forward. The gospel continued to spread not because gospel continued to spread not because gospel continued to spread not because conflict was good, but because God is conflict was good, but because God is conflict was good, but because God is able to work even through the messiness able to work even through the messiness able to work even through the messiness of human disagreements. So what does of human disagreements. So what does of human disagreements. So what does this mean for us? Well, some of us carry this mean for us? Well, some of us carry this mean for us? Well, some of us carry the grief of broken relationships, the grief of broken relationships, the grief of broken relationships, strained friendships, disagreements strained friendships, disagreements strained friendships, disagreements maybe about missions or unresolved maybe about missions or unresolved maybe about missions or unresolved conflict about secondary convictional conflict about secondary convictional conflict about secondary convictional theological ideas. theological ideas. theological ideas. And this passage reminds us that those And this passage reminds us that those And this passage reminds us that those failures or tensions in our human failures or tensions in our human failures or tensions in our human relationships, relationships, relationships, fractures, they're never beyond God's fractures, they're never beyond God's fractures, they're never beyond God's ability to redeem. ability to redeem. ability to redeem. But redemption shouldn't make us casual But redemption shouldn't make us casual But redemption shouldn't make us casual about division. Remember again, Luke about division. Remember again, Luke about division. Remember again, Luke didn't endorse this disagreement. He didn't endorse this disagreement. He didn't endorse this disagreement. He just told us what happened.

just told us what happened. just told us what happened. God's grace is powerful enough to bring God's grace is powerful enough to bring God's grace is powerful enough to bring good from what's broken. good from what's broken. good from what's broken. But that doesn't mean that we personally But that doesn't mean that we personally But that doesn't mean that we personally as individuals as individuals as individuals should stop pursuing peace, should stop pursuing peace, should stop pursuing peace, reconciliation, humility, and seeking to reconciliation, humility, and seeking to reconciliation, humility, and seeking to understand each other. The beautiful understand each other. The beautiful understand each other. The beautiful thing, and I love that Luke included thing, and I love that Luke included thing, and I love that Luke included this detail about their separation this detail about their separation this detail about their separation because it wasn't the end of the story. because it wasn't the end of the story. because it wasn't the end of the story. Later, Paul speaks very well of Later, Paul speaks very well of Later, Paul speaks very well of Barnabas. And even more striking, he Barnabas. And even more striking, he Barnabas. And even more striking, he later asked for Mark by name, saying later asked for Mark by name, saying later asked for Mark by name, saying he's very useful to him in ministry. The he's very useful to him in ministry. The he's very useful to him in ministry. The relationship was wounded for a time, but relationship was wounded for a time, but relationship was wounded for a time, but it wasn't ruined forever. If you're it wasn't ruined forever. If you're it wasn't ruined forever. If you're walking through a disagreement with walking through a disagreement with walking through a disagreement with another believer on a non-essential another believer on a non-essential another believer on a non-essential issue, one of the best things you can do issue, one of the best things you can do issue, one of the best things you can do is slow down and invite God into it is slow down and invite God into it is slow down and invite God into it before you push harder into your before you push harder into your before you push harder into your position or make an ultimate decision.

position or make an ultimate decision. position or make an ultimate decision. So, start by asking yourself prayerfully So, start by asking yourself prayerfully So, start by asking yourself prayerfully with a sensitivity to the spirit, with a sensitivity to the spirit, with a sensitivity to the spirit, is this a truth I need to contend for or is this a truth I need to contend for or is this a truth I need to contend for or a preference I need to hold with open a preference I need to hold with open a preference I need to hold with open hands? Is this a truth I need to contend hands? Is this a truth I need to contend hands? Is this a truth I need to contend for or a preference I need to hold with for or a preference I need to hold with for or a preference I need to hold with open hands? Not every disagreement open hands? Not every disagreement open hands? Not every disagreement deserves the same level of energy. Some deserves the same level of energy. Some deserves the same level of energy. Some issues require conviction, others issues require conviction, others issues require conviction, others charity. Another question or set of charity. Another question or set of charity. Another question or set of questions to ask. What is driving my questions to ask. What is driving my questions to ask. What is driving my reaction? Is it love for truth? Fear of reaction? Is it love for truth? Fear of reaction? Is it love for truth? Fear of losing control? Pride and insistence losing control? Pride and insistence losing control? Pride and insistence that my way is right? Past hurt? desire that my way is right? Past hurt? desire that my way is right? Past hurt? desire to be understood, an unwillingness to to be understood, an unwillingness to to be understood, an unwillingness to accept restoration as a possibility. accept restoration as a possibility. accept restoration as a possibility. See, conflict has a way of exposing See, conflict has a way of exposing See, conflict has a way of exposing what's underneath the surface. And what's underneath the surface. And what's underneath the surface. And prayer helps bring those motives into prayer helps bring those motives into prayer helps bring those motives into the light so that we can move forward the light so that we can move forward the light so that we can move forward and walk in the spirit. Another question and walk in the spirit. Another question and walk in the spirit. Another question to ask is, have I listened well amidst to ask is, have I listened well amidst to ask is, have I listened well amidst the disagreement or the conflict? James the disagreement or the conflict? James the disagreement or the conflict? James says to be quick to hear and slow to says to be quick to hear and slow to says to be quick to hear and slow to speak. So before trying to win an speak. So before trying to win an speak. So before trying to win an argument, you can seek to understand the argument, you can seek to understand the argument, you can seek to understand the other person. Ask, could I clearly other person. Ask, could I clearly other person. Ask, could I clearly explain their perspective in a way that explain their perspective in a way that explain their perspective in a way that they would say is fair? And finally, they would say is fair? And finally, they would say is fair? And finally, what would it look like to preserve what would it look like to preserve what would it look like to preserve unity on this issue, even if we can't unity on this issue, even if we can't unity on this issue, even if we can't agree?

agree? agree? Unity doesn't always mean agreement, but Unity doesn't always mean agreement, but Unity doesn't always mean agreement, but it does mean love, humility, and a it does mean love, humility, and a it does mean love, humility, and a commitment to honor Christ and the way commitment to honor Christ and the way commitment to honor Christ and the way we engage with one another. Sometimes we engage with one another. Sometimes we engage with one another. Sometimes faithfulness means standing firm and faithfulness means standing firm and faithfulness means standing firm and digging in our heels. But other times, digging in our heels. But other times, digging in our heels. But other times, faithfulness can look like letting go. faithfulness can look like letting go. faithfulness can look like letting go. And wisdom means we know the difference And wisdom means we know the difference And wisdom means we know the difference between the two. which thankfully God between the two. which thankfully God between the two. which thankfully God says in James 1, "If any of you lacks says in James 1, "If any of you lacks says in James 1, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives wisdom, you should ask God, who gives wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, generously to all without finding fault, generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when and it will be given to you. But when and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, you ask, you must believe and not doubt, you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a because the one who doubts is like a because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wind." So may we be people who in faith wind." So may we be people who in faith wind." So may we be people who in faith ask God for wisdom as we navigate ask God for wisdom as we navigate ask God for wisdom as we navigate disagreement. But that's all we've got disagreement. But that's all we've got disagreement. But that's all we've got time for today. Special thanks to our time for today. Special thanks to our time for today. Special thanks to our join the journey summer intern Wesley join the journey summer intern Wesley join the journey summer intern Wesley for helping with today's episode. And as for helping with today's episode. And as for helping with today's episode. And as always, I'm so glad we're all on this always, I'm so glad we're all on this always, I'm so glad we're all on this journey abiding in Jesus together.