Acts 15:1-2
" Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue."
There are many causes of conflict in our lives. James tells us that wars and fighting among us come from the internal pleasures within us that fight for their perspective desires. Note James' words below:
James 4:1-2
" What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask."
The reason we quote James when it comes to conflict is that he was the one who would preside over one of the first MAJOR conflicts in the church. In Acts 15 we have the conflict within the church about some believing Pharisees who couldn't let go of the requirements in the Law: Particularly that everyone has to be circumcised to be a part of the family of God. So, it is no surprise that they would speak their voice and cause some conflict within the body. One of the "pleasures" that James talks about in his letter (one of the first written to the Church) might have been the pleasure, or desire within us, for things to be done right and correct. The Pharisees wanted people to believe. But, they were mistaken, according to Peter, Paul and the Apostles, at what requirements came after that. In their "Ignorance" they caused a conflict. Ignorance is one of the maid sources of conflict in our lives Their desire to be "right" and in the "know" caused them to interpret wrongfully the requirements of faith and walking in faith. Ignorance is a main source of conflict in life. James knew that that desire to be right and express our thoughts on what is right would be a major issue as it was taken captive by sin and held hostage. Sin closes the minds of those who are ignorant (See Romans 8). When we act on ignorance we fail to consider the truth available through God and/or available through God's messengers. Let's rejoice that God gives us truth and we don't have to be ignorant and hold views that hurt others. Acts 15 is a perfect example of how conflict starts and how it should be handled, especially when that conflict is caused by ignorance. James called for a conference to discover the truth. He allowed others to speak and reveal truth which educated those there. He then declared a judgment and a method to disperse that judgment. Acts 15 is the cause and resolution of conflict. Rejoice in the truth found in this great chapter of Acts. Praise God that He didn't hide the conflict in the church. Praise God that He reveals it to us and shows us how Godly men and women are to resolve it by truth He reveals.
No comments:
Post a Comment