Greetings in Christ,
No one likes to be wrong. The thought process which goes through everyone’s mind makes them want to believe they are right in their thinking and beliefs. Arguments have been going on for many hundreds of years because people believe they are right and everyone else is wrong. It happens at work, home, church, with family, with friends, and with anyone who will argue back.
We want to believe as we process information we have all the facts, truth, memories, and whatever data we need to come to a conclusion making us form the belief we do. We are willing to stand our ground to make sure we are right and the other person is wrong. Depending on how strong we feel, we will argue our point till we drop dead or proven wrong, and then we still do not back down easily.
People have quit talking to each other over simple arguments which one thinks they are right and the other is wrong. The ending result is not good for anyone involved, and it usually creates a bad atmosphere for everyone else who may be connected to those people.
In order for peace to be established between the two parties, there must be some compromise which takes place. Someone has to be willing to say they are wrong and the other person is right. There has to be humility which surfaces between both parties before real peace can be established. What would have happened if both approached the situation with humility in the very beginning?
Paul writes these words about Jesus in Romans, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” These words made me think about how helpless we really are here on earth. We want to believe we have all the answers and we are willing to argue our point at times, but we are all under the illusion we have control on our lives. We want to make the right decisions, do the right things, and we pursue with our thoughts and beliefs with blind ambition.
The other underlying factor in Paul’s words is the fact Jesus humbled Himself to die for us. There was nothing Jesus did on this earth which was for His own cause. Jesus did not act on His own thoughts and decisions while living here on earth. Everything He did was based on what God the Father asked Him to do. The only times Jesus knew He was right was when God the Father backed Him on His thoughts. Jesus knew God the Father was the only one who had control.
We sometimes want to argue with God about who is right and who is wrong. We want to believe we are right and He is wrong. We cannot know all the details, the facts, and have all the memories God has for Him to make decisions. Our decisions are based on limited information, and it will get us into trouble if we base our decisions on the limited information. We must remember we do not have control, but we must rely on the One who has control—God. We must approach God with humility knowing we are helpless. It is in the humbleness before God we will receive the right information to make the right decisions.
“The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are sure. They are upheld forever and ever; they are performed in truth and uprightness.” Psalms 111:7-8
“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” Psalms 146:1-2
“The Lord will reign forever, Thy God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord!” Psalms 146:10
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14
Lord as we approach with humbleness give us the knowledge to make the right decisions in life so we may honor You. Amen
Blessings,
Mark Johnson
Psalm 112,112,113,146,147; 1 Samuel 14:36-45; Romans 5:1-11; Matthew 22:1-14