BLESSINGS EVEN IN DISAGREEMENTS

My Dear Precious Child,
    While Paul and Barnabas were ministering to the Gentiles some Jews came down from Judea and were instructing people that they needed to combine circumcision to their newly found freedom.  They even went as far as to say that men could not be saved if they did not succumb to being circumcised.  When Paul and Barnabas had some heated discussions with those men, it was decided that Paul and Barnabas and other believers would go to Jerusalem and confer with the apostles and elders there concerning the matter.   On their way to Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas told believers in towns along the way about the many conversions of the Gentiles, causing much rejoicing among the believers.  
    The entourage was welcomed in the church in Jerusalem and they told about the many wonders that I had accomplished through them.   But, still, some of the believers of the sect of the Pharisees rose up and demanded that circumcision be necessary for all male believers, even demanding that they obey all of the Law of Moses.  The apostles and elders conferred together considering the matter.   After a long debate among the believers Peter got up and told Paul that long ago I had selected him to speak to the Gentiles the message of the Gospel of Christ's salvation in the kingdom of God and that it is necessary for them to place their faith in it.  He said that I understood their hearts and sent My Holy Spirit just like I did to the Jews.  He said that there was no difference between Jews and Gentiles who welcome the conviction that Jesus is the Messiah and that through Him they receive eternal salvation in My kingdom.
    Peter went on to chide the Pharisee believers for testing Me by putting a yoke on the necks of the Gentile disciples, a yoke which neither their forefathers nor the disciples were able to endure.  He proclaimed that they were all saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, just like the Jews had been.   Everyone remained silent while Paul and Barnabas entertained them with telling about the signs and wonders that I had performed through them among the Gentiles.  James demanded a say, and he said that through the prophets it had been foretold that the house of David would be rebuilt so that the rest of men, the Gentiles, would seek the Lord.  He said that it had been set in place from the beginning of the world.  (Isaiah 45:21; Jeremiah 12:15: Acts 15:13-18)  James gave his opinion that no one should put obstacles in the way of the Gentiles who had turned to Me.  (verse 19)
    James added that there should be a letter written to them that they should abstain from eating food sacrificed to idols and from all sexual impurity, should not eat meat from animals that had been strangled, and not to drink blood.  The apostles and elders, together with the whole church, resolved to select men to accompany Paul and Barnabas's entourage back to deliver the message to the Gentile believers.  Judas and Silas were selected to accompany the men back to the Gentiles, though Silas decided to stay.  The letter enumerated that some Jews from the number in Jerusalem had unsettled the minds of the Gentile believers, although their actions were not instructed by the apostles and elders.  The letter went on to say that the Holy Spirit did not lay any further burden on the Gentile believers other than the ones mentioned by James relating to idol food, not drinking blood and not eating the meat from strangled animals, plus to refrain from sexual impurities.  The letter affirmed that if the Gentiles did those things, then everything would go well for them. (Acts 15:20-29)
    The Gentile believers were pleased about the letter and Judas and Silas encouraged the people with many words which strengthened them.  Judas and Silas contemplated going back to Jerusalem but Paul and Barnabas remained with the Gentiles teaching and proclaiming the Word of the Lord concerning Christ being the eternal salvation in My kingdom.  Paul and Barnabas wanted to eventually call on all of the churches where they had ministered.  Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them.  Paul did not like the idea because John Mark had abandoned them earlier in another city.  Paul and Barnabas separated from each other and Silas went with Paul, commending the brothers to My favor and mercy.  (Acts 15:36-40)
    Even in disagreements, when unity is restored there are blessings flowing into the lives of all believers.  Unity needs to be restored between people in order to be able to walk in My blessings.  Division and strife are sent from hell in order to upset the spiritual atmosphere where unity prevails.  Heaven and My angels cannot exist with division and strife because of My blessings that My children forfeit as a result of engaging in division and strife.
    Your Father of Peace and Mercy