LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Wrong examples to avoid (4)
3RD , AUGUST 2022
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Isaiah 44-47
READ: Acts 15:35-41
35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch and
with many others also continued teaching and proclaiming the good news, the
Word of the Lord [concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation
in God’s kingdom].
36 And after some time Paul said to Barnabas,
Come, let us go back and again visit and help and minister to the brethren in
every town where we made known the message of the Lord, and see how they are
getting along.
37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John
called Mark [his near relative].
38 But Paul did not think it best to have along
with them the one who had quit and deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone
on with them to the work.
39 And there followed a sharp disagreement
between them, so that they separated from each other, and Barnabas took Mark
with him and sailed away to Cyprus.
40 But Paul selected Silas and set out, being
commended by the brethren to the grace (the favor and mercy) of the Lord.
41 And he passed through Syria and Cilicia, establishing
and strengthening the churches.
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MEMORISE: But avoid stupid and foolish
controversies and genealogies and dissensions and wrangling about the Law, for
they are unprofitable and futile.” - Titus 3:9
EXPOSITION
Contention is defined as a belief, or opinion expressed in an
argument. It is a point made to win a prize. It is an angry disagreement
between two people. It can be used to provoke a fight also. This is what
happened between Missionaries Barnbas and Paul who had just won a major battle
for the Church of God against heresy and sedition of the people of the circumcision. What happened between them is
something that incite or provoke to anger or fight.
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The background to
this drama was that the duo had decided to go on another missionary journey to
consolidate the earlier gains of their first evangelical labours. But Barnabas
felt he should be given another chance, being younger, green, and
inexperienced.
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Then it happened!
Two God-chosen, heaven-ordained and charismatically balanced, anointed and
commissioned agents of the gospel of Jesus Christ disagreed, even to the point
of provocation publicly and departure from each other. How much sad that
"I" and "me" still cause same divisions today in the body
of Christ.
Where not properly
handled, our differences may not glorify God. We should always strive to be the
best example of what we preach, to all. This is in the light of later
developments whereby Apostle Paul described Mark as "useful" and good
companion in ministry!? May God forgive our excesses and help us all to be
consistent (Col. 4v10,11; 2 Tim.4v11; Phlm. 24). Do all things without
disputations, Paul later counselled (Phil.2v14; Tit.3v9).
May we be good
examples of the person and faith of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRAYER POINT:
1. Lord, deliever me from the spirit of ungodly
contention and strife.
2. I refuse to be an agent of contention,
incitement, controversies and rebellion in the Church of God, in Jesus name.
3. Pray for the fathers and leaders in the Faith to
be strong and consistent in doctrine and virtue.
DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY
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