Christian blog posts

Disagreement happens in every good church. You don’t need to run away from church or fellowship because you disagreed in opinion with a brother or a sister. If you do that, beware of this, even in that church, where you run, you will still disagree with some else. Whatever happens in your life, always remember there will be some friction. In reality, it’s normal to disagree. Whenever the church starts growing, disagreements become part of the story. The higher you aspire to be as an individual or church, the more dissenting voices you will hear. It may not be for a bad reason but many of them may just be good people showing dissatisfaction with your work or ministry for good reasons.
When the church in acts started making progress, it reached chapter six and disagreements became open. The bible says “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. [Acts3:-35]
This new twist of ministry made the disciples to seat and thus the deacons were appointed. The word says “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
In a real church, members have to disagree. Paul the Apostle did the same. He disagreed with peter and made it clear to his face. Actually, Peter was on the wrong. He was so tribal and didn’t want to mix with the gentiles just because he was a Jew. Paul says “when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed. For before certain ones came from James, he ate with the Gentiles, but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him, insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, if you, being a Jew, does live after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of our sin? No, in no wise. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a rebel [“Galatians 2:11-18].

Paul never heed his attitude or displeasure for individuals he felt bad about. He always spoke out to either congratulate, thank or even disagree, and without mincing his words. His life was always an open book to be read by many, for good or bad.  In Acts 15:39, Paul again disagreed again with Barnabas over his choice of Mark to accompany him for missions. Scripture puts it clearly that they had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
This disagreement did make Paul and Barnabas break into factions or open their own branches as it’s the trend today, but i believe they solved the issue because later, Paul calls mark a fellow laborer in the ministry. He later concludes the book of Philemon by saying “my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. [Philemon 1:24]
Saint of God, as you grow and fellowship with other believers, expect them to rub you the wrong way. Some disagreements are shaping you to what God has for you. Iron sharpens iron, as the bible says, “so one person sharpens another”. This simple statement is not only a calling to make you better, it helps you also to be stronger in Christ, when we disagree as a church. When you get to know the other side of the people you fellowship with, you get to grow through mentorship, follower-ship and disagreements. Proverbs 27:17.

You can see now that there is no need to stop going to church, serving in ministry or even changing churches because you disagreed with a brother or sister. Iron sharpens iron and you have a lot to learn from me and i have a lot to learn from you. Disagreements signify maturity and just like Paul, disagree but don’t break the fellowship. God expects us to learn from each other. Whenever you see the faults of a brother or sister, tell him. Let him know about it and lift anyone down to your level, as we grow together in Christ. God expects it from us. Let us always agree to disagree, with Christ our focus. God bless you