Over the years I have off and on thought about he "sharp disagreement" that Paul and Barnabas had in Acts 15. I have seen misapplications of that story for the end of excuse making in some difficult disagreement. I have found myself championing Barnabas while not really vilifying Paul, but because I prefer his side and identify more with it.

A recent discussion made me think more about the disagreement between these two men. I kept wondering at the question of how to know when to be a Paul and when to be a Barnabas. Further, I have been asking why is there a picking of sides. Neither man was wrong in the disagreement. Both had valid, even noble, reasons for their opinions. So what then? How do you apply this in your own disagreements?

My conclusion thus far is respect and humility. Sometimes there are disagreements with a right and a wrong side. The incident with Paul and Barnabas, however, isn't that. Both men were thinking and deciding rightly but oppositely. Both men were obviously pleasing to God. However, they DISAGREED.

Paul was about the business of preaching the gospel and of strengthening the saints. It was his mission, his life, his passion. Barnabas was a man for the individual. He was an encourager of the small person, not just the huge mob. Paul's way of thinking led to great productivity and many victories for God. Barnabas's way of thinking led to the reformation of an individual. Both men had a grand impact. Both men loved God and honestly pursued His goals, and that is all that really matters.

This story seems far less to me a lesson in how to resolve a fight (though it may be that) and more of an admonishment to respect and be grateful for the equally useful, though very different, gifts, methods and personalities of each other.

So when you hear "Paul" arguing his case with you, or when you hear "Barnabas" pleading his, evaluate honestly. Is the other person deciding something sinfully, or is it just different from your best ideas? Again, be honest - humble. Maybe you are wrong. Be willing to check into what God has to say about a matter and accept the truth. When that is done, if neither person has a sinful stance, then respect the one opposite of yours and do everything with the motive of glorifying God on His terms. Be a Barnabas. Be a Paul. Either is valid.