PEACE: A BRIDGE TO UNITY

May 7th, 2023

SCRIPTURE: "Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought
best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone
with them to the work." [Acts 15:37, 38]

Relationships can “go south,” or “sideways” on a dime. Today someone is quite amiable; tomorrow,
for some reason that eludes you, you’re in a state of estrangement with that person. It happens among friends, relatives, neighbors, and even within Christ-believing, Bible-teaching churches. We read of this occurrence often in the Scriptures. Sometimes the reasons are stated; at times they are not. The reason for the Apostle Paul and John Mark disagreement is cited in our title verse; yet what is most noteworthy is their reconciliation, as observed in Colossians 4:10 and 2 Timothy 4:11.
We read in the Book of Acts of another rift--one that developed between two women—Euodia and
Syntyche, also co-laborers in the church that was planted in Philippi [Acts 16:13]. While we don’t know the details of their strife, it is enough to know that it was sufficiently disruptive to that Christian community that the Apostle got wind of it while sitting in jail for seeking to advance the gospel! Paul appreciated the need to address the extensive harm that such strife could unleash within the body of Christ. To this end, he enlisted the help of other believers within that Philippian church community to assist Euodia and Syntyche in reconciling. Would that we as individual believers had a similar zeal to quash disunity and factions amongst our brothers and sisters in Christ! Though the phrase “rifts in the body of Christ” sounds like an oxymoron, we know that they exist, and yet, we should view them as a spiritual challenge to make significant strides in the area of “walking in the Spirit.” Inasmuch as we Christians are described as being “ambassadors to Christ,” who beseech nothers to be reconciled to our God and Redeemer, shouldn’t we likewise be equally desirous, when necessary, of reconciling with those souls against whom we may have some grievance? Romans 12:18 says it well—“As much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Let us be about seeking peace and PURSUING it, ala Psalm 34:14. Remember, it is written that “…the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God…” [1 Peter 4:17]

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help those who know You daily demonstrate that the “fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” [James 3:18]. Thank You, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
By Sis. Denise Diggs