When Christians oppose another Christian…how do you deal with that?

It is sad but true that there are Christians who oppose other Christians. It is certainly not the Lord’s desire. The Apostle Paul said, “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

 

Your question, however, is how to deal with that. First, it is important to identify the issue at the heart of the contention. It has been said that if one can write down the problem in a clear sentence, it is 90% solved. From the Christian viewpoint, if there is some violation of God’s Word, we have clear biblical instruction how to handle that in the Christian community. Jesus gives us those instructions in Matthew 18:15-17. If it is a grievance, the Apostle Paul says it should be handled by mediation arranged by the community of believers (1 Corinthians 6:1-8).

 

If the issue is over methods or style and not a sin or not a grievance, we have a couple of examples of steps to take.

 

Paul and Barnabas went on a very successful missionary journey and returned to Antioch to give a report. Next, they planned a second trip but had a disagreement over taking Mark along with them. He went on the first trip but returned home prematurely. Barnabas wanted to take him the second time; Paul didn’t. The Scripture says in Acts 15:39, “…They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.” Barnabas took Mark and went to Cyprus. Paul took Silas and went to Syria.

 

They both continued to do the work of the Lord, they just didn’t do it together. We know from reports years later that they still loved and respected one another.

 

Whatever the resolution, love for one another is very important. Jesus said by this (your love of one another) you’ll know that you are my disciples. John R. Stott said in his book Between Two Worlds, “The price we’ve paid for a divided Christendom is an unbelieving world.”

 

There is a verse in Romans 15:7 that ought to serve as the Christian community’s Magna Charta. “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” When Christ accepted us, we had many flaws in our understanding and in our character. All of us are a work in progress.

-David Corts