The Grace to Disagree...and Press On, Part 3 (Chuck Swindoll)

[GoldenEagle]

Listened to this today with my wife. It was great! Timely message considering what God has been taking through with family and seeking a new church. Chuck is quickly becoming one of my favorite preachers!

The Grace to Disagree...and Press On, Part 3

Thursday, February 21, 2013

References: Acts 15

Having a grace state of mind doesn’t mean life automatically becomes a super harmonious downhill slide. Embracing grace doesn’t change our address from the real world to Fantasyland. Even though we, in grace, pursue righteousness and peace and joy and commit to building up one another in love, we will still face conflicts on occasion. We will still have to live with disagreements. Human nature, being what it is, will occasionally get in the way. Opposing opinions will surface, family members will see things differently, and coworkers will clash, even when both parties desire to do the will of God. As people of grace, our goal is not to force everyone to agree but to press on in spite of disagreements.

Acts 15:36-41

36 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.” 37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 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. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Barnabas and Paul had a major disagreement on John Mark.

Paul and Barnabas never worked together as partners again.

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1. Always leave room for the opposing point of view. (Few things are sick and immature than a closed mind.)

2. If an argument must occur, don’t insult and never assassinate. (Don’t attack someone’s character.)

3. If you don’t get your way, get over it. (Sometimes that means one party takes it on the chin.)

4. Sometimes a permanent separation is the best way to solve a disagreement.

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Chuck uses a personal example of his relationship to his brother. Chuck’s brother is a 5 point Calvinist. Chuck is not. They are not close. Yet Chuck still loves his brother. In the end they will both be with Christ in eternity.

Important: God reserves the right to bless those who disagree with me.

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