When Gifts Collide

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6


I have heard the following statement made at many a pastors conference over the years, “Being in the ministry would be the greatest occupation in the world if it were not for the people.” Meant to be a lighthearted joke about the church, the point being made is working with people is difficult and the more people there are to minister too, the more difficult the ministry becomes. Because conflict is a natural part of life the exercising of our spiritual gifts is of critical importence if the body of Christ to function the way God intended.

In Acts 15 we find a few heartbreaking passages of scripture that describe an event where two men of God who served along side each other in bringing the gospel message regarding God’s love for mankind and His desire to reconcile the world to Himself through Jesus Christ to literally thousands of people. What makes those few verses heartbreaking is that the two men, Paul and Barnabas came to a place where they allowed their personal agendas to distract them from the goal that they hoped and prayed others would achieve. Both Paul and Barnabas understood that Jesus death on the Cross broke down the walls of separation between Jew and Gentile, male and female, slave and freeman. They knew Jesus prayer was that we might be one as He and the Father are one. Sadly, what they hoped for others to enjoy they temporarily forfeited themselves. 

Barnabas primary gift was encouragement and Paul’s was leadership. Exercised under the power of the Holy Spirit these two gifts work in perfect harmony in building up of the body of Christ in love. In the flesh they collide and demonstrate the old saying, “a strength pushed to an extreme becomes a weakness.” Their strengths became their weaknesses because of their stubbornness. Being stubborn over doctrine is needed in confronting heresy but when it comes to personal choice and preference it is destructive. As Pastor Chuck would say, "Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be broken." 
 
Thank God that even when our gifts collide Romans 5:20-21 remains true, “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Thank God that His grace was greater than the temporary stubbornness of Paul and Barnabas and instead of dividing their efforts God multiplied it. Thank God today that His grace is greater than your stubbornness and mine. Today, lets pray and determine to walk in humility before God and each other as we…

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Ephesians 4:3

I LOVE YOU!