Right but Wrong
Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
I think it’s human nature that we always want to believe that we are right. And surely in nearly every situation there is one side the is right and one that is wrong, specifically in terms of what’s right before the Lord. But, consider this: Do you realize that it’s possible to be “right” about something but, at the same time, be completely wrong?
What am I talking about? Well, you can have the completely right answer, perspective, etc. but in your zealousness to be right and prove your “rightness”, you can be totally unrighteous (righteous = right before God). Consider this: the Pharisees were very right in many ways in their zealousness for the laws of God. And, God loves His laws, they were made for our God. You would think that those who were fully committed to it would be fully pleasing to the Lord, right? But, as we know, some of Jesus’ strongest words of rebuke were for these guys! So, what was the issue? The heart! They were right but they missed the heart of God in the whole thing! They dealt harshly with those who “fell short” and lacked love!! THIS one thing made them completely wrong!!
So, what does this mean to us in light of these Scriptures?
God’s not as concerned about us being right as He is that our HEART is right. The testing question is: Is God’s love your motivation? Are you showing love in how you deal with that person/situation?
We could move mountains, raise the dead, heal the sick, and die a martyr . . . but if we have not love, it means NOTHING (see I Corinthians 13).
Our goal should always be love. Love for God and love for others.
Let us remember this in how we deal with our spouses when we disagree.
Let us remember this when our children disobey or disappoint us.
Let us remember this when a brother or sister is in sin.
Let’s remember this when we don’t see eye to eye.
We should think about this in our politics and our response to leaders.
Love covers a multitude of sin.
Love has the power to transform.
Let your gentleness be evident to all. Pbilipians 4:5.
-Jessie
Jessie Still 