8th Jun 26 | 14:45
Daily Study
Process to oneness
Acts 15 - Series 3/Episode 10 - Sat, 16th May 2026 - Process to oneness - Acts 15:36-41 - THE SEPARATION OF PAUL AND BARNABAS - Numbers 06:24-26
Act 15:36-38 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.
We said yesterday that we must come to the presence of God for the Lord to search our hearts to see if there is any wickedness or conceit in us. We must confess the same to God and allow the Lord to heal us in our inner man. Our ways seem so correct and right in our own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits. Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.
We began considering that convictions lead to contentions because we have allowed our convictions to become conceit. The self becomes enthroned in us. We are operating in the flesh and not in the Spirit of God.
This inner healing is precious and necessary if we desire the outcomes in our circumstances to result in the common good. I Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
We must let God's grace take over. It is only when we humble ourselves and submit to God, allowing His healing to flow in our inner being, that we will experience God's grace. James 4:5-7 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? (6) But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." (7) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Pride and God's grace are mutually exclusive. If we hold on to our convictions leading to conceit, then we are hindering God's grace. When we yield to God's grace, we will see the exit of pride.
The real threat here is that the devil is at the door. When we do not submit to God, then the devil will see that as his entry point, and he will create serious harm to the body of Christ. We can only resist the devil when we have dealt with pride and have submitted to God. *Without submitting to God, we cannot expect to overcome the devil.*
Humility needs to be our clothing in our relationship with one another. Humility does not mean that we cast away our convictions. Humility changes our posture, not our beliefs. This is the key to glorious outcomes. Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Lowliness enables us to see the validity of the other person's perspectives. The other person comes from a rich place of experience, uniqueness, traits and abilities. It is necessary to appreciate the other person's perspective on the matter. In so doing, we will not be wise in our own perspective, but be gracious. Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
In all of this, we set the platform for the operation of the Holy Spirit of God's grace. Titus 3:5-6 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, (6) whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, We invite the Holy Spirit to display in our situations the wonders of His grace.
Ephesians 4:1-3 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, (2) with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, (3) endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
The outcome of the unity of the Spirit working among us is the bond of peace. Peace is always the Shalom of God, which is completeness and wholeness. Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. (4) Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.
Convictions in the fellowship of the body of Christ are, in reality, an opportunity to experience faith in God. Faith in God that our differences are not threats but opportunities to witness the work of the Holy Spirit to bring about the Shalom of God. Numbers 6:24-26 "The LORD bless you and keep you; (25) The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; (26) The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." '
We must always remember that we are the body of Christ and the Lord is working out all things for the benefit of all.
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