Paul Biggest Mistake?

Paul is one of the most significant people in the New Testament. His work, writings, and influence shaped the church. Yet he isn’t without faults. Not just, like all of us, he sinned but even in the decisions he made, sometimes he chose poorly.

For example, in Acts 15 Paul and Barnabas are considering a follow-up visit to the places where they previously established churches. Yet when it comes to who will go, they can’t agree. Barnabas wants to take John Mark. Paul doesn’t. Since John Mark quit on them the first time, Paul thinks he will again. Paul’s so adamant he and Barnabas end up going their separate ways.

It seems, however, that Paul was wrong about John Mark. Mark goes on to be an important worker in the cause of Christ. Paul himself will later say Mark was “useful to me for service” (2^nd Timothy 4:11). Mark made something of himself.

However, let’s consider how Paul might have been ‘wrong’, it might not have been wrong in what he did. We are not sure how this disagreement affected Mark. It might have been the catalyst for his improved responsibility. It might have forced him into a different role in the work that was more suited to his personality and talents. Paul’s dismissal of John Mark may have helped to prove Paul wrong.

You see sometimes we make choices that don’t seem to be in hindsight the right ones. Yet they may help us get to the right places. We make mistakes but we can learn from them. We can misjudge a situation but we can grow and change our minds. What we thought at one point wasn’t right may not be later. Mark may grow up. Paul may mellow out. Barnabas may have had time to instruct and shape. Things change and they may change the way we think about them.

Mistakes are only permeant if we don’t learn and grow from them.

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