When We Disagree

Daily Reading: 1 Corinthians 16

Scripture Focus: Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity. (1 Corinthians 16.12)

Devotional Thought: Did you know that leaders in the church do not always agree? 

Apollos was a believer in the Lord, converted under the influence of John the Baptist, thoroughly trained in the scriptures.  He was a skilled orator and erudite theologian.  He had significant influence in the church at Corinth, where Paul was having some difficulties. 

Paul trusted Apollos, and the Corinthians admired him.  Sending him to Corinth to defuse the leadership crisis made perfect sense.  But, there was a problem.  Even though Paul “strongly urged” Apollos to go to Corinth, he refused.  Apollos was adamant in his refusal to go.  He said, “I’ll go later, but not now.”

What do you do when two godly men disagree?  Who must yield?  Can they both be right?  What if they are both wrong?  And, what should you think when two Spirit-filled individuals disagree?  How can that happen?

I appreciate Paul’s attitude in this situation.  Though he was without doubt of higher “rank,” he was willing to allow Apollos to find his own level of compliance.  He trusted that Apollos was able to discern the will of God for himself.  He did not try to assert his will nor call Apollos’ motives into question.  We’ve all known leaders who are not able to admit that someone else may be right.  Paul wasn’t like that.  He was able to give and take with other Spirit-filled leaders.

So, what does all this have to do with you?  Recognize that Christians will sometimes disagree.  Allow others freedom to find their own level of agreement.  Refuse to “de-Christianize” those whose opinions differ from your own.  And finally, don’t become unsettled when leaders don’t see eye to eye.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for giving us freedom to disagree.  When we do, help us to bear with one another in love and so fulfill the law of Christ.  Grant that we would be "big enough" to allow differing opinions in those around us.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 113.4-9

4 The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!

5 Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high,

6 who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?

7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap,

8 to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.

9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!