SATURDAY August 5, 2023
A Determined Decision
Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
Acts 15:36-38
After a productive time in Antioch, Paul embarked on another missionary journey. This was Paul’s heart––to go back and visit the brethren to see how they were all doing. This is just like us! When we go on missionary trips, we like to visit different missionaries and the local brethren in Chile, Colombia and Peru. We encourage them and see how they are doing. These trips help keep people accountable in the ministry. Missionaries are to be men of integrity, walking in the ways of the Lord.
Paul insisted John Mark was not to go with them on the journey. However, Barnabas was not in agreement; he wanted his nephew to go. Paul thought it best for Mark to stay home; most likely, he saw that Mark lacked maturity. On the first missionary trip, Mark had issues. Perhaps he became homesick or was discouraged by the difficulty of the journey. Whatever the circumstances, Paul was not willing to tolerate Mark’s inconstancies.
The dispute caused a sharp division, but in the end, they separated peacefully. Division among believers can be very bad as people get hurt, but sometimes it can become a blessing. In this case, God used the situation to do two new works and further the kingdom of God.
Later, Paul called for Mark to come and visit him prison. He saw that Mark had matured, and he was useful in the ministry: Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry (2 Timothy 4:11). God worked all these things for good and for His purposes. I love it!
I know enough about Satan to realize that he will have all his weapons ready for determined opposition. He would be a missionary simpleton who expected plain sailing in any work of God.
~James O. Fraser~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
