Acts 13:4-12 Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus

This is the beginning of the first missionary journey for Barnabas and Saul. From Antioch they go to Seleucia which is on the coast of the Mediterranean and from there they sail to the island of Cyprus. Arriving at Salamis on the east coast, they travel across the island to the west, all the way to Paphos. Why did they choose this path? I am certain that the Holy Spirit was guiding them in their journey as they prayed to him for direction. Also, we can see the commitment to spread the Gospel systematically across the region as they make their way through. Am I committed to spread the Gospel?

It is worth noting that what we call missionary journey for Barnabas and Saul is really a trip to the surrounding regions of Antioch and not so much a voyage to the unknown places of the world where language and cultural training was required. The Church began its outreach to the areas that were at its reach first. The Church took responsibility for missions. Am I committed to share the Gospel in a systematic way in our region? Am I willing to view missions as going to the surrounding regions of the church and not just going "overseas?"

Barnabas and Saul began their missionary journey doing what they knew how to do. They proclaimed the good news of the Gospel to the Jews in their synagogues. How did they react to opposition? Here we have the example of Bar-Jesus or Elymas. He was a magician - remember that magicians are not illusionists; they are more like spiritists. He also opposed the preaching of Paul trying to turn the proconsul Sergius Paulus, who was seeking to hear the Gospel, away from the faith. Paul confronted the man and brought a curse upon him to be blinded for a time. He accused him of "making crooked the straight paths of the Lord." This confrontation brought Sergius Paulus to believe the Word of God.

As I attempt to proclaim the good news of the Gospel, I will encounter opposition to the spread of the Word of God. It is important to identify the things that hinder the preaching of the Gospel and address them head on. In Paul's case it was a confrontation of powers, the Gospel vs Elymas' magic. Paul brings a curse upon him to demonstrate that magic is no match for the power of the Gospel. What are the things that oppose the Gospel in my neighborhood? How can I confront and disarm them? Am I truly committed to see the Word of God spread no matter the cost?

Father, guide me to share the good news of the Gospel with those who need it. Fill me with your Spirit to confront the obstacles and false teachings that stand in my way to communicate the Gospel. Fill me with joy as I share the abundant life of the kingdom. Amen.

Matthew 18:15-20 If Your Brother Sins Against You

When it comes to conflict resolution, nothing beats the procedure outlined in this passage. Yet I find myself ignoring it time and again. The first step is one of evaluation: "If your brother sins against you..." I have to discern if my brother's fault is worth a confrontation (second step: "...go and tell him his fault")  or if I am willing to let it go without a confrontation. I should be willing to sit down and talk if my brother's well being is in danger due to sin or if it bothers me to the point that I can't be at peace. Even if there is a misunderstanding on my part, I should be willing to sit down with my brother to clarify.

The reason I ignore this precious passage so often is fear. I fear hurting someone, so I tell myself. But reality is that true love speaks the truth and does not hide behind a mask of being "nice." There is no value in being nice when your brother's soul is in danger of hell or your peace of mind does not let you sleep at night. Since my need of venting is so great, my fear drives me to sin by violating the privacy clause "between you and him alone." Somehow, I feel justified to tell someone else my problem with my brother falling into gossip. I realize there is need for counseling to deal with internal issues, but venting with others and speculating about my brother's intentions and motives is not healthy at all. I must go to him!

So often I look at conflict as a nuisance to avoid instead of an opportunity to grow a relationship. The benefit is clear: "If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." There is much to gain from proper conflict resolution. If my brother does not listen, I should be willing to bring witnesses. If I am willing to bring witnesses it is because I am very certain of what I am talking about. I should not bring witnesses to a situation if I am not certain. If my brother still ignores my warning, then I should be willing to come to the church - not the whole congregation, but its representative government (pastor, elders or governing board).

If no resolution is possible after all this, it means that my brother may not be a brother at all. I should have compassion and treat him like an unbeliever: "let him be to you like a Gentile and a tax collector." This does not mean to despise him, but to love him as one who needs Christ. The powers of binding and losing are given to me as a kingdom person through the Gospel. Just a reminder that the binding and losing takes place in the heavens and I am called to discern what my God is doing and follow his lead not the other way around. The Father has promised to be with me and answer my prayers when I am willing to sit down with my brother to resolve our conflict.

Father, thank you for your presence and power in my life to deal with conflict. Don't let fear hold me hostage to be nice and never deal with my issues. Set me free to welcome conflict as an opportunity to grow as a Christian and mature in my relationships.