What then is to be done?

And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. What then is to be done? Acts 21:20-21

So things have never been simple in the church, this getting along thing. We all have our customs, we have our priorities, we have our burning passions– for example, Paul was headed to Jerusalem and no one could dissuade him.  And simply believing in Jesus does not suddenly clear up all of the misconceptions or prejudices or bad way of doing business, like shouting and uproar and crying out, “Away with him!”

What then is to be done?  

As much as I am able, “make every effort” I am told, I need to be at peace with all men.  Everyone.  And to watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble me, corrupting many. To not let the evil or even the goofiness overcome me, but overcome with goodness. 

And Paul went along with it all, paying everyone’s fees, shaving his head, doing everything he could to get along, and it didn’t do one lick of good, except the important thing, that he had made every effort.  He did what he was able, and that is that.