Explaining Why I'm Right

Daily Reading: Philippians 3

Scripture Focus: Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. (Philippians 3.15)

Devotional Thought: I recently saw a t-shirt that I liked: "I'm not arguing. I'm explaining why I'm right!" Paul could have worn a t-shirt like that, couldn't he? "If in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you." In other words, "You'll come around and see things my way."

Paul didn't wish to quibble with the Philippians about finer points of theology. Paul knew that they were solid at the core of their doctrine and any superficial differences were not worth arguing about. He recognized that they possessed the spirit and love of Christ. Given time, the Spirit would reveal to them - as he does to all of us - the truth as it is in Jesus. Paul didn't need to set everything straight. We've all dealt with people like that - people who have to "be right," people who continue to argue their point even after the need for arguing is over.

"Normally we judge others in relation to our own level of attainment; somewhat less often we judge with reference to Christ; very rarely indeed do we form our judgments with reference to the progress an individual has made since he became a Christian." (Ralph Gwinn, The Biblical Expositor)

Aren't you glad that the Lord is patient with you? Let's show that same patience as we wait for one another to "grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man."

Prayer: Lord, help me not to have to always be right. Give me the grace to allow others to grow and mature in you. Help me to recognize that I have growing to do myself. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar. 7 "Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!" 8 Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. 9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints shout for joy. 10 For the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your anointed one. (Psalms 132:6-10)