Quarrelling among saints
Nobody could tell what triggered the argument between the two leading ministers of the church.
But there they were, right on the street, pointing forefingers at each other.
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Then their argument soon turned into physical assault.
It was a most embarrassing moment for the church, for passers-by who drew close to separate them recognised them and informed the church’s headquarters.
For their discipline, the two were suspended from pastoral duties for a period. Even then, their tarnished reputation could not easily be regained.
The reference to Christians as “saints” is a surprising description found in the Bible.
Perennial quarrels
Our behaviour—such as perennial quarrels—are so awful that “saint” seems an inappropriate narrative if you consider the definition of that word.
“Saint” is defined as a holy, righteous and pious person, renowned for being virtuous and is exceptionally compassionate, kind and gentle.
Measure the life of a regular Christian along these qualities and we fall flat and woefully deficient.
Yet, Scriptures say we are saints! If so, how do we justify such a lofty portrayal assigned to us only by grace?
Is it by quarrelling, fighting and undermining one another? Certainly not.
Examples of quarrelling among the saints include open fights, blatant insults, cold-wars, casting insinuations and discrediting others’ achievements.
Unhealthy competition for superiority among some leaders also breeds quarrels.Do these speak well of saints?
Disagreements are integral part of human relationships even among saints.A classic one erupted between saint Paul and saint Barnabas about whether or not to allow apostle John Mark to accompany them on their second missionary journey.
Mark had abandoned their company in their first journey and Paul, who felt he couldn’t tolerate Mark’s disloyalty, vehemently refused his request to rejoin them.But Barnabas, the son of encouragement, wanted to give Mark a second chance. Their disagreement, according to Acts 15:36-41, was so sharp that they decided to go their separate ways.
While not exonerating the two saints for quarrelling, we must acknowledge the absence of insults and bitter exchanges between them.
They didn’t allow their disagreement to get in the way of God’s work.Instead, they went on to fulfil their ministries.
Later, Paul accepted Mark back into service.
Inevitable
When disagreements are inevitable because of differences of opinions, they need not deteriorate into bitterness and hatred that impoverish our service to God.
Even “cold-wars”, where saints fail to talk to each other due to some disagreements, speak ill of us.
One Sunday, I asked the congregation, “Some of you failed to take part in the holy communion—what happened?”
A woman stood up and said, “Well, for me, it is because I’m not on speaking terms with my neighbour.”
And that neighbour was a member of the congregation.
Another woman said she quarrelled with someone at home before coming to church that morning.
So, you see how quarrelling and discord deprive us of sweet fellowship with Christ through the holy communion?
In fact, quarrelling even robs us of the blessing of answered prayer, for conflict among us can mar our communication with God.
That is why forgiveness, which is at the core of the Lord’s Prayer, enables us to live in peace with one another.
Unity
In his prayer in John 17, the Lord Jesus appealed for unity among his followers, “that they all may be one”—an appeal that gives no room for quarrelling and fights.
When the servants of Lot and Abram quarrelled over grassland for their animals, it led to Lot moving away with his family.
They landed at Sodom and Gomorrah where, but for God’s grace, they would have perished in the great fire.
As Paul told young Timothy, “God’s servants must not quarrel” (2 Timothy 2:24). Instead, he reminded the Romans, “As far as it depends on you, live in peace with all people” (Romans 12:18).
In Paul’s days as in ours, Christians sent one other to court over the least intolerance.
Appalled by this, Paul asked them, “If you are wronged, so what? Are you beyond being wronged?”
To tolerate being wronged and not hit back is high-level sainthood.
Variance
Quarrelling and fighting are at variance with the lifestyle of the gentle Jesus whom we serve.
Peter, who knew him personally, testifies: “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.
Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23).
It is easy to say or write such admonitions, but the circumstances that give rise to quarrelling can be difficult to handle.
You think you are gentle, patient and sweet until you meet a hyper-unreasonable person; then your own sainthood is put to the test.
Yet, we can do all things through him who strengthens us.
The writer is a publisher, author, writer-trainer & CEO of Step Publishers.
E-mail: lawrence.darmani@
gmail.com