Compassionate Contention

“Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭15:39-40‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/act.15.39-40.nkjv
Although only the ministerial work of Paul after the contention in Antioch is accepted into the canon of scriptures, there is no evidence to suggest the end of the season of relevance in the ministry of Barnabas. Going by the consistency in the disposition to care and comfort for young and vulnerable brethren in Barnabas (to which even Paul once enjoyed both in Jerusalem, Tarsus, and Antioch), it is apparent that the unstable John Mark needed the support of Barnabas more than the steadfastness of Paul at this time. Unlike confrontational and self-centred contention in most ministerial work today, a compassionate contention is healthy and devoid of putting down or discouraging brethren for self-gratification. Possibly, Barnabas understood and acknowledged the sacrifice of choosing to work with the uninspiring John Mark than continuing with the charismatic Paul. Although the work of compassion may sacrifice relevance in this world, heaven holds in high esteem the contention of the likes of Barnabas in order to provide charity and compassion for the needy.

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