I know this soapbox keeps popping up, but again today the issue rose up a like tidal wave over the humble shack of my life. Why do Jesus-claiming people demand to be right?

The spiritual standard of faithfully following The Way, as Jesus taught, had little to do with winning arguments, elevating one doctrinal stance over another, institutional superiority or theological priority.

Being-Right“Jesus called the apostles and said, ‘You know that the rulers of nations have absolute power over people and their officials have absolute authority over people. But that’s not the way it’s going to be among you. Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant. Whoever wants to be most important among you will be your slave’ ” (Matt 20:25-27//Mark 9:35 God’s Word).

“But don’t make others call you Rabbi, because you have only one teacher, and you are all followers. And don’t call anyone on earth your father, because you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Don’t make others call you a leader, because you have only one leader, the Messiah. The person who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever honors himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be honored” (Matt 23:8-12//Mark 10:44 God’s Word).

Christians use secular courts to silence critics inside and outside their institutions. This in itself screams “sin at work”. Religion uses internal “courts” to defend tradition against the work of Paraclete and silence critics.

Power is used to silence the voice of God rather than attack demons.

Religious people want to be right, overpower dissenters and justify abandonment of both the First Commandment and the authority of Scripture over human regulations.

Jesus didn’t say, “Be right”. Jesus said, “Do right”.

Funny isn’t it, that religion, to be right, must do the wrong thing the wrong way to be right.

Don’t climb over people to get to the top of rightness. Be God’s servant, with deep compassion.

That would be right. That would be “great”.