Settle Your Differences

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Wednesday morning, the 12th of July, 2023, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. 

We start in Proverbs 25:8-10:

"Do not go hastily to court;
For what will you do in the end,
When your neighbour has put you to shame?
Debate your case with your neighbour,
And do not disclose the secret to another;
Lest he who hears it expose your shame,
And your reputation be ruined."

Then we go to the New Testament, to the Gospel of Matthew 5:25. Jesus says: "

Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison."

I think one thing that stops us from setting our disputes out of court is actually foolish pride. It keeps us from sitting down quietly over a cup of tea and talking about our differences. We are determined to make our point of view, but it can be extremely costly. It could even cost your marriage, it could cost you your business, it even cost you your farm and your career, and at the end of the day, what have you benefited from the whole exercise? Very little, if anything. We say, "But we have our rights." No, we don't have any rights. We surrendered our rights the day we gave our hearts to Jesus. Just say sorry, ask for forgiveness, and diffuse the potential explosion. Sometimes you have to lose the battle to win the war, they say. We are not talking about bending the rules or compromising our faith for a little bit of peace and quiet - never! But let's major on the majors and not on the minors.  

Do you remember the big automobile manufacturer, the giant Henry Ford? He quoted, "You can paint my Model T Fords any colour you like, as long as they stay black." I shared that with my oldest son once, and he said to me with a smile, "Yes, dad, but that was Henry Ford's big mistake because all the other companies started to paint their motorcars different colours, and they went ahead, but he was determined to keep his cars black. It didn't make any difference with the engine or the running of the vehicle."

I want to say to you today, let's not argue about silly little things. Let's settle our differences and get on with our lives, serving the Lord.

Have a wonderful day today,
In Jesus name,
Goodbye.