Who’s Rights vs. What’s Right

In this country we are consumed with rights. Depending on who you listen to, an unborn child should have a “right” to live, or a woman should have a “right” to an abortion. In the media you will hear people who passionately believe they are right to fight for their rights, destroying others in the process. They speak in angry words against those who don’t agree with them. To be on the right side of moral issues with an angry spirit is also a sin.

Unfortunately, this attitude is also found in our churches, our families, and our own hearts. It is easy to get caught up in who’s right instead of what’s right. When we focus on who’s right, our motivation is proving my point, justifying my opinion, proving someone wrong, correcting someone, being vindicated. Do any of these motivations honor God? In a word, no.

When we focus on what’s right, we can graciously stand for truth and do so with the heart of the Father. God wants all men to be reconciled (Matthew 5:23-26, 18:15-17). So whether it is a political issue or that argument you had with your spouse, God calls us to surrender our “rights” and to pursue what is right, which is reconciliation. God will give us opportunities to choose what’s right versus who’s right, as He continues to mold us to be more like Himself.

Why choose what’s right?

For Jesus’ sake: Because I love Jesus and want to obey his prayer for unity in John 17, I will do everything He commands to be reconciled with those He loves. I choose to pursue oneness with all for whom He died. If the cross unites us, let nothing else separate us. John 3:16, 14:15, 21, 23-24; 15:9-14, 17:21-23.

For the Father’s sake: Because I love my Father and do not want to grieve His heart of love for His children, I will do everything I can to be in harmony with all His children. Relationship in His family and love for His children is more important to God than my position on anything not essential to salvation. Our heavenly Father is best able to correct His own children. 1 John 5:1-3, Matthew 5:9, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.

For the Spirit’s sake: I do not want to hinder the Holy Spirit by any sinful attitude of anger, unforgiveness, or disunity. Ephesians 4:29-32, Isaiah 66:1-2, 32:15a, 17-18; 1 John 4:11-12.

For my sake: Because I want the grace and peace of God to reign in my life, I choose not to harbor bitterness or judgment. An unresolved offense hinders my worship and fellowship with God. I choose to let this situation be God’s instrument to train me in grace and righteousness. Hebrews 12:14- 15, Matthew 5:23-24, 5:7, 7:1-2; James 2:13, Romans 14:1, 10-13; 15:1.

For the sake of the church: Because I want the church to be a positive reflection of Jesus, I bring my opinions to the cross. I choose unbroken fellowship in His church because disunity dishonors the name of Jesus and brings reproach on the witness of the church to a lost world. John 17:21- 23, Ephesians 4:1-6, Galatians 2:20.

For the glory of God: Is anything worth forfeiting the glory of God in my life and in His church? No obedience is too costly, too humbling, or too hard, because I want His glory, power, presence, and blessing more than my personal agenda. Romans 15:5-7, John 17:24-26.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will show you the Father’s heart. Obey Him, no matter the cost. May Jesus be glorified as you seek to be reconciled with all your brothers and sisters in Christ.

By Sylvia Gunter
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• I Demand to Be Right!
• How Christ Modeled Humility
• Humility Toward Each Other
• Humility by Phil Ware

The post Who’s Right vs. What’s Right appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.”  Proverbs 16:2

You’re at a party and your husband or wife (or good friend) begins to tell a story about an event in which you both had participated. There is a reason for telling the story—perhaps to describe the beauty of a scene or a person whose presence made a lasting impact on your lives. “Last year when we were on our way to California…” You interrupt with, “No, that was two years ago and we were going to New York…” The story continues: “We had driven about five miles that morning and stopped at this little blue store…” “No, remember it was midday and we had gone well over fifteen miles and the store was red…

What happens to the story? To the audience? More importantly, what happens to the storyteller? First, the story has lost its purpose. Those listening have been distracted by your insistence on accuracy of detail. The storyteller begins to experience frustration, anger and perhaps even a sense of unworthiness. Anger is evident when the storyteller somewhat heatedly says, “OK, you tell the story.” Disguised anger is revealed when the storyteller says ‘sweetly,’ “Oh, honey, you always tell the story better than I do…”

In her book, Invitations from God, Adele Ahlberg Calhoun addresses this demand to be right: I often hear couples debating who is right about what happened. Each one refuses to admit that she or he might be wrong about some detail: how far they walked, how long ago it was, who was there. One of them may be a stickler for accuracy, while the other is after the big picture and not too concerned about details.

Perhaps you see yourself in this description. Do you find yourself constantly correcting people in conversation? Or maybe it’s just always adding a bit of information to the discussion you think absolutely necessary. If someone says, “I hear we’re having a snowstorm tomorrow,” must you add, “But it won’t be anything like the one two years ago”?

This sometimes happens in a Bible study. People can become so passionate about the subject under discussion that they feel they must always add their insight or knowledge. While this may add color or detail to the general theme, often those in the group less willing to ask questions or who feel they have less “knowledge” remain silent.

These words from Ahlberg struck a chord in my soul: The type of humility that admits you are wrong when you know you are wrong is confession. The humility that admits you might be wrong when you’re pretty sure you’re right is maturity.

by Marilyn Ehle
used by permission

FURTHER READING

• How Christ Modeled Humility
• Humility Toward Each Other
• Humility by Phil Ware

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The post I Demand to Be Right! appeared first on Thoughts About God.