Biblical Essays
CAN BEING RIGHT EVER BE WRONG?
When one seriously considers the circumstances surrounding some churches today (i.e., dictatorial leaders & self-serving preachers; more interested in contribution and attendance rather than spiritually weak believers) perhaps it is not off base to suggest that the most tragic message we have communicated to this culture has been this: one has to be right to be part of the Kingdom of God. It’s possible that many of us attend a church or congregation made up of such leaders, preachers, and members. One doesn’t have to go far to be made aware that the basic message a lot of people associate with these religious groups is “We’re right,” “You’re wrong”.
Truth is many of us have been not only mistaken in our message, but misleading as well. Historically, too many preach “church” more than Christ. Thus, we have modeled a people who “fight for the right” rather than a people who exhibit an environment that welcomes those who are not right (i.e., the lame, blind, divorced, addicted, and sinful).
There is a weakness plaguing many of us today – we have not always received people where they are; the way Jesus received them. Why? Because when we are too busy trying to do everything “just right,” we can easily miss being with a wife, son, sister or neighbor in a timely way. We can easily miss the chance to be there when people really need us to be the presence of Christ.
Is this too cynical? Perhaps. But it’s not meant to be. It comes from a heart that loves the universal church of our Lord; from one who has in times past been cared for by the church. It comes from one who has failed in the church and still felt love from the church. It is from a brother who is looking at Jesus seriously and who, on a daily basis, faces the poverty of soul he lives. But it also comes from one who faces a living, merciful God Who majors in loving those He knows are wrong.
We must somehow find our way back to the basics in order to restore the man, woman, child, church, community, and nation. We must listen again to Jesus explain who the “blessed” people are.
The first step to the Kingdom of God is not being right, but admitting we are wrong in specific ways to those we know we have wronged – always keeping in mind that God loves a contrite heart.
How do we begin? First with God; then wife and children. Then comes brother, sister, father, mother, and so on. How long has it been since you looked in the face of your mate, brother, friend, or other important person in your life and said: “I’m wrong, and I’m really sorry”? When was the last time you heard an elder, a leader or preacher say, “I was wrong, and I’m really sorry?” Is it too painful? Can we ever learn to listen and not be defensive?
Once we discover that the first step to being right is being able to admit being wrong, we can finally hear and experience the words of Jesus: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
