Win an Argument or Keep a Friend?

Daily Reading: 2 Timothy 2

Scripture Focus: Avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness... Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. (2 Timothy 2.16, 23)

Devotional Thought: Today's verse makes me think of election time in the United States.  We get a lot of "babble... foolish, ignorant controversies... and quarrels" at this time of year, don't we?

Paul urged Timothy to avoid all this and instead focus on words of truth.  Let us listen to this advice as well.  There are many “arguments” that we can have as Christians.  There are so many differences or personal preferences in the Church that we are bound to come up against someone who does not agree with us.  When we are tempted to argue about these differences, we must ask ourselves, “Is the gospel at stake?"

John Wesley, the father of Methodism, has this to say: In the essentials, unity. In the non-essentials, liberty. Over all of these, love [charity]:

·      Some examples of essentials would be: Jesus is the Son of God, The Resurrection, The Second Coming. We are saved through Christ alone. All Christians must agree on these.

·       Non-essentials: Singing hymns versus choruses.  Having Sunday School at night, or in the morning. These can be negotiated and we don’t need to argue about them.

·       Over all, love.  We need to do what verse 24 says, “And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil."

Let’s not get upset and start arguing over things that don't matter. That is the devil’s way of getting us off track.  Instead, let us focus on the essentials.  And remember, it is almost always better to lose an argument than to lose a friend.

Prayer: Help me, Lord, to not be quarrelsome but rather to be kind to everyone - even those who disagree with me!  Grant me wisdom to recognize essentials from non-essentials.  In Jesus' name, amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119.129-136

129 Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.

130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

131 I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments.

132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.

133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

134 Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep your precepts.

135 Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.

136 My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.