The Invaluable Teaching of Being Wrong

THE INVALUABLE TEACHING

OF BEING WRONG

In almost forty years of being a believer I have learned many things and in many ways. I have learned by studying Scripture. I have learned by watching faithful believers. I have learned by the testimony of the martyrs. I have learned under the teaching ministry of many godly teachers. I have learned by being involved with missions. But perhaps the most overlooked and undervalued learning vehicle is what we learn when I have been wrong.

Actually see when we are wrong, much less admitting it without reservations, it is a difficult and lonely path. Even when we do admit when we are wrong we usually have some open and hidden caveats. We often compare ourselves with others and minimize our own shortcomings and sins. We often present mitigating circumstances. We often rationalize our situation without completely dismissing our actions. We use the universal imperfection of our race to soften the blow. Our flesh has all sorts of ways to admit being wrong without embracing it and allowing the Spirit to use it for God’s greater good.

But when we are wrong, especially when we were not originally aware that we were wrong, and when the Spirit showed us we were wrong, we have an incredible opportunity for spiritual growth. Sometimes that kind of opportunity is more profound than when we discover some truth. It presents an opportunity to embrace the forgiveness of the cross as well as die to ourselves there as well. To repent and change due to our own sin is a great mystery of the Spirit. There are differing circumstances when we are wrong. Sometimes we have had a wrong attitude. Sometimes we have said something wrong. Sometimes we have done something wrong. And sometimes we have believed and defended something that we later came to believe was wrong. The latter is one of the most fertile ground for spiritual growth.

Beware of the believer who suggests he has surrounded all truth and all he needs to do now is spread what he knows. Beware of the believer who fully endorses a man’s theology. Whether it be Luther or Calvin or Wesley or Arminius or any other man, beware of the believer who walks in lockstep with some man’s systematic theology. There are two undisputed doctrines and all their tributaries. The Person of Christ and the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone. Those are the ancient landmarks that must never be moved.

But most of the rest must be a careful and humble journey. And once you have seen your error and embraced a clearer vision of the truth, you should become much more careful in the future. And it should also create a deeper sense of humility and reliance on Christ rather than a self righteous doctrinal air. We are all liars and thieves and self righteous sinners who have been redeemed from the penalty of our transgressions and made to be the sons of the living God. Not of works of righteousness which we have done but by His precious blood he has bought us forever. And if I were God, after he purchased me I would have returned me because I was defective. Yes, I have so many time defied His grace and sinned before Him.

And therein also lies a basis for being wrong. All of us have sinned against our Heavenly Father even after we were born again into His family. Yes there were many times when we sinned after the similitude of mankind in general and without a high level of maliciousness and forethought. But let us come clean before all creation: We all have sinned sometimes with forethought and with malice and intent. Oh yes, and with that painful truth how could we even claim anything but Christ through His eternal grace? Works of righteousness? All His. Pure motives? All His. Love for enemies? All His. Humility? All His. And the desire to know Him and serve Him? His gift to us once again. You see, He alone deserves all the honor and praise. And where do we get the power and privilege to honor and praise Him? It all comes from Him and His unfathomable grace.

So the next time you are wrong, and it will not be very long, embrace it and repent and do the works that should stem from true repentance. We are not products of a doctrinal taxidermist shop, stuffed and hung as a plaque. We are the living epistles of Christ who do good works, who do stumble, who do love Christ, who do come up short, who do love His Word, who do satisfy the flesh, who do deny self, and yet who do present a living example of the grace of Almighty God and of His Christ. Perhaps we have been wrong many more times than we could ever imagine, but it is not upon ourselves we stand. We stand completely and unreservedly upon the Rock of God who has never been wrong and who has shared His righteousness with every wrongdoer who believes upon Him.