But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. — Galatians 5:15
A few years ago, I recall reading an article that someone had written online. The writer was trying to argue that it was pointless to argue with someone who claimed to be religious. As he went through the article, he described how things he believed go against the basic teachings of world religions, yet, would not change the basis of those religions if true.
He gave many examples, such as that he believed the Bible was not without flaws. He said in many areas he had identified flaws throughout the Bible. He described how he would never argue over creation or evolution. He said that a Christian could believe in evolution and that the point was not worth arguing.
Now I certainly do not agree with many of the viewpoints of the writer, but I do think there is something worth noting. Christians have become notorious for arguing over things. We argue over which church ideology is more perfect than others. There are arguments over simple truths that the Bible is clear on. These doctrinal things should not be up for debate. Yet, we almost argue over these things for the sake of arguing!
Based on the verse here in Galatians, it seems that Christians have been prone to arguing for quite some time since Paul mentions it here. But are these arguments worth it? Are these arguments furthering the cause of Christ as we have been instructed to do?
There are many things we are told to take a stand for or against. We are told to take a stand for our faith in Jesus Christ. We are told to take a stand against sin. Most of all, we are told to live a life set apart from this world. In other words, we should act differently than they do!
This world wants to see us argue over petty things. It takes the attention away from Jesus and puts it on the situation. Instead, we should focus on living our lives set apart to God. We need to put aside the focus on the petty arguments, and put the focus back on Jesus once again! As you reflect today, are you more interested in being right and winning a Christian disagreement, or are you more interested in pointing others to Jesus Christ?
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