We are very thankful for the
opportunity to work with churches through Mission Mid-Atlantic. Because of the
nature of our ministry, we have many opportunities to learn lessons that apply
to all of life, not just to work within our churches.
For example, we are often called
into situations where members feel the need to argue their point of view. They
have a strong desire to be right and in the process create conflict that often
divides the body.
I was reminded recently of times
when I have felt the need to be right and how that is not a good thing. This
sin-driven trait appears at the most inconvenient of moments, and then I have to reconcile by apologizing for something said or done while seeking
to prove my point.
Pathak & Runyon, in The
Art Of Neighboring, observed the following about a man who struggled
in his relationship with his neighbor. He stopped worrying about
being right and decided to try to be like Jesus.
That got my attention. I
hate hurting those I love just to be right. I want to be like Jesus.
Nowhere in the Bible are we told to be concerned about being right. Arguing about things gets us nowhere. Instead, we are told to view conflict as an opportunity to glorify God and serve others.
Nowhere in the Bible are we told to be concerned about being right. Arguing about things gets us nowhere. Instead, we are told to view conflict as an opportunity to glorify God and serve others.
Let's stop worrying about being right and decide to try to be like Jesus.
Jim
Jim (if I can call you by name),
ReplyDeleteNewer to the CBA and Mid-Atlantic and enjoying your posts. Pathak & Runyon indeed pose a good challenge to us but I have to ask if there isn't a time that we need to be concerned with what is right? In humility and love of course, without arguing as you point out, but nevertheless sometimes the most loving thing we can do for someone is to share the truth with them. Truth divides; unfortunate but true despite how humble we are in sharing it. There were times when Jesus was downright confrontational - tempered by 100% holiness and righteous loving motives of course. When a young believer or an unbeliever asks me an honest question or polls my perspective on a doctrinal matter they hold to, am I not "told to be concerned about being right?" How can we exhort and even rebuke without grounding upon what God deems "right(eous)?"
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (2 Ti 2:24-26). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Interested in your thoughts?
Arthur in PA