Minor Issues That Divide the Saints

“And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other…” —Acts 15:39

Paul and Barnabas were great friends and co-workers for God. However, they let a minor issue regarding a weaker brother lead them to a “parting of the ways.”  This was not one of Paul and Barnabas’ finer moments.

Two of the most powerful preachers of the Gospel in England were Charles Spurgeon and Joseph Parker.  Early in their ministries they fellowshipped and even exchanged pulpits.  Then they had a disagreement.  Spurgeon accused Parker of being unspiritual because he attended the theater.  Spurgeon, on the other hand smoked cigars, a nasty practice Parker condemned.

Isn’t it interesting how Christians use the faults of other Christians to alibi for their own sins?  Often, some Christians part company over some minor issue of disagreement that is not specifically addressed in God’s Word.

I recently read a story about a conflict between a father and his son. It was so intense, it was at a breaking point.  In the middle of the night the son had trouble sleeping, so he went to the kitchen to fix himself a sandwich, and there was his father, who couldn’t sleep either.

After they fixed their sandwiches they began to reminisce about the past—about the years in Little League, about their hunting and fishing trips, and about their swimming together.  It looked like some healing was taking place in their strained relationship.

The son said, “Dad, do you remember the time we were out on the lake in that green boat?” His father said, “The boat was blue, son.” The son said, “No, it was green.” The father said, “You are mistaken—it was blue.” “Green.” “Blue.” “Green.” “Blue.”

And his son left, never to return.

Somethings just are not that important.  We must ask ourselves, “Is this an issue to break fellowship over?” I would hope I’d be spiritually mature enough to recognize what really matters and what doesn’t.

Don’t make a big deal over minor issues (Mt. 23:23-24).