The Right Response

We all like to be right and hold to what we value and consider good, honorable and above reproach. This is particularly true when it comes to our Christian beliefs, and our Christian walk. As much as we need to hold on tightly to Gospel truths and not compromise with anything related to the Gospel, most of us need to learn to extend grace in other areas. Sometimes, it would serve the Gospel message in a greater way if we simply kept quiet, if we did not voice our thoughts on the non-essentials. Remaining quiet does not mean you should never discuss the non-essentials, rather it can mean, and should mean, you can save it for another time. A time which would be more profitable to the cause of the Gospel, and not your personal agenda.

Possibly, you may be the one who needs growth. A season of personal examination and review of Scripture to enable a greater understanding of a particular theological or doctrinal issue. A season to prepare for a calm and gentle discussion. Or, you may be called to a time of prayer for those who do not have a clear understanding of the issue you believe they need to have a clearer understanding of. After you have prayed for yourself, and for them – for your hearts to be teachable, kind and patient, ask the Lord to provide a more congenial opportunity to address the topic of contention.

However, consider remaining quiet – biting your tongue – as the compassionate and wise response. A determination to be seen as right – voicing your thoughts to a weaker, struggling believer will allow them to consider you as contentious. This distracts from the testimony the Lord has called your life to portray. A contentious person does not reveal the grace of the Gospel – they reveal criticism, war and strife. Is your determination to be right not an expression of your weakness – one of pride, puffed up with knowledge, impatience, and superiority?

You don’t need to be right. The Lord, alone, needs to be right. The Gospel requires our quiet, gentle and right response.

• If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:1-7).

• Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another (Romans 12:10).

• Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12).

• Be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tender-hearted and humble (1 Peter 3:8).

#response #wisdom