A couple of our Bethel students were arguing about the correct format for a paper they are writing in our Written Composition class. Though they were arguing mostly in fun, neither student would give an inch. The volume escalated, each getting more insistent as they each repeatedly voiced what they thought was right.
I found it amusing because the right answer had already been decided by the Modern Language Association (MLA) in its format for Written Composition papers.
It made me wonder how often followers of Jesus argue over truths that are not really ours to decide. Who are we trying to convince? The truth is the truth whether we yell louder or whether we repeat our position over and over. We may think it is “the other side” we are trying to convince but I wonder if we are really trying to convince ourselves or “our side” that we are the ones who are right. (And how effective is yelling anyway?) Sometimes I fear we may even be trying to convince God we are on the right side.
I found it amusing because the right answer had already been decided by the Modern Language Association (MLA) in its format for Written Composition papers.
It made me wonder how often followers of Jesus argue over truths that are not really ours to decide. Who are we trying to convince? The truth is the truth whether we yell louder or whether we repeat our position over and over. We may think it is “the other side” we are trying to convince but I wonder if we are really trying to convince ourselves or “our side” that we are the ones who are right. (And how effective is yelling anyway?) Sometimes I fear we may even be trying to convince God we are on the right side.
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My friend, Ruben, thinks the biggest issue in the Church may be our need to be right all the time. While the Truth is central to all things Christian, I’m reminded of an Oswald Chambers’ quote. “Jesus said go and make disciples, not go and make converts to your opinion.”
Pastor Craig Groeschel wonders if in our efforts to convince people of the truth of Jesus we have forgotten to live the way Jesus lived. (John 14:6) I think he is on to something. If we lived more like Jesus lived, the Truth will probably be able to take care of itself.
How about you? Are you more worried about being right than being the right person? How important is it to win conflicts? In my family relations classes I sometimes say “You may be right, but it is possible to ‘right’ yourself right out of a relationship. Might it be possible that how we handle disagreements is at least as important as winning them, especially when we are trying to represent Jesus well?
Pastor Craig Groeschel wonders if in our efforts to convince people of the truth of Jesus we have forgotten to live the way Jesus lived. (John 14:6) I think he is on to something. If we lived more like Jesus lived, the Truth will probably be able to take care of itself.
How about you? Are you more worried about being right than being the right person? How important is it to win conflicts? In my family relations classes I sometimes say “You may be right, but it is possible to ‘right’ yourself right out of a relationship. Might it be possible that how we handle disagreements is at least as important as winning them, especially when we are trying to represent Jesus well?
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