Why Do You Always Have to Be Right?
Recently, the issue of the book/movie “Heaven is Real” has come up on a number of occasions. Let it be known that I am totally against this book and I believe that Christians should not read it. I have heard a number of times that I am “too harsh” or “not gracious enough” or “ease up bro”…and I…I…I just can’t. When it comes to the things of God, and Jesus, and scripture, we are called to be discerning, we are called to test everything against scripture. Especially prophecies and visions. Thessalonians tells us not to despise them but to test them. So when it came to Heaven is for Real, it was tested against scripture and it failed.
“Why do you always have to be right?”
That is another accusation I often hear from opponents when I post articles like that. This has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with you and God. When I see my brothers and sisters stray, or putting their hope in extra biblical things, I cannot keep my mouth shut – because that would be sin.
So my question is this: Are you sure you want to be my friend?
I see most things in black or white, there is very little grey area with me (and this irritates my wife and those around me.) I point out sin or the appearance of sin in people, things, situations and the like, not to simply judge them or out of a sense of self-righteousness, rather it is with the goal of glorifying God and perhaps helping my brothers and sisters become aware of sin, or potential sin, so they can grow in their spiritual walks with Christ.
In fact, this has been a curse to me since I tend to easily spot what is wrong and then have to look to find something right. I spend hours praying and grieving over my own sins as well as the sins of my brothers and sisters, and for those who are as yet unbelieving. Because of this I tend to be very serious about life. I admit that I find it hard to laugh at times. I am getting better, a lot better!… but it is in fact it is a burden of mine. I have prayed so many times for God to just let me be a little more lighthearted! Please let me just live in the moment! Why can’t I just “let things go?” Why must I be burdened with this, while everyone around me is enjoying themselves!?!?!
Now don’t get me totally wrong, I am more than capable of laughing and have a good time, but when the moral line begins to fade or the line between good and evil becomes blurred my “spidey sense” begins to tingle and I am unable to sit by and idly watch as my brothers and sisters partake of questionable or outright sinful things. I guess this upsets some people, it upsets me sometimes, but I would be more worried if these things did not bother me. And please know that I am not intending to judge you, if it ever comes across that way. I simply want to see spiritual growth in myself and those around me. I want to see God glorified amongst us.
Yes, sometimes I think I should just let it go. But the Ephesians 5:22 says that we should not simply avoid the works of darkness but expose them as well. I do not want to hurt you. I do not want to simply be right. But when God’s truth is attacked, I must Bark. To close I will quote John Calvin:
A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God’s truth is attacked and yet would remain silent.
13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
“I tend to be very serious about life. I admit that I find it hard to laugh at times. I am getting better, a lot better!… but it is in fact it is a burden of mine. I have prayed so many times for God to just let me be a little more lighthearted! Please let me just live in the moment! Why can’t I just “let things go?” Why must I be burdened with this, while everyone around me is enjoying themselves!?!?!”
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Leonard Ravenhill once gave a tract to Paul Washer saying “others can, you cannot.” We remember people like David Brainerd, John welsey and Whitefield, and Edwards, and the apostles, and Jesus Himself. And thats just it. We remember them and not the 99.9 other percent of believers who were lighthearted about serious matters. Like the tons of captives but one Daniel. Every mature believer will undoubtedly have joy, but inner joy, and true peace. When it comes to the world, this person will be a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. I’m sure you know this more than I do. But I write it to remind myself.
I enjoy reading your articles.
Thanks cg. I appreciate the comment.
The prophets were despised by the people. Jesus was a man of sorrows. The apostles counted it joy to suffer for the name. Continue in the strength he provides. Seek wisdom. Do not be spiteful, but serve out of love. Some times the truth hurts, sometimes love hurts. Keep up the good work.
Excellent post. I would contend that the Christian life is a long journey of sanctification by the Holy Spirit, through a fallen and perilous world. Many a storm will be encountered, some avoided and others endured. In a long journey, maintaining a proper heading is a continual struggle, filled with corrections. The notion that one can “set a heading and forget it” is foolish and irresponsible. Remembering what Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV) 13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
The gate is narrow, and our trajectory needs constant adjustment as our flesh continues to war against the Spirit, always trying to veer us off of course.
God bless you and yours.
This is so refreshing to read. I have a husband who is like that. I am, too, per consequence I think, but he is even more so. He annoys people because of it, but it truly is a burden for him and often weighs him down. It would be so much easier to, like you say, let it go, but he cannot. You sound so very much like him. But we really need you people, especially in this day of relativism. Keep it up, bro.