Peace and harmony are good things, don’t you agree with me?
Peace and harmony with what? There should really be no agreement on anything
without understanding, right? So then, why do so many conversations, sales pitches, and arguments seem to have, as
their goal, agreement? Because agreement looks like accomplishment, but is
often just the best choice between two sides trying to find middle ground.
Words like compromise, bending, and give and take are used quite often in order
to reach agreement, even if it is agreeing to disagree. What are we agreeing
on?
Know what everyone agrees on: absolute truth. Absolute truth
is absolutely true 100% of the time: every time, and all the time. Let us not
argue what is or is not absolute truth here. I am not trying to have the truth
debate, and I am not talking about what is true to you. I am talking about
unarguable truth like gravity, and I am not asking you to agree with my version
of truth, but simply that absolute truth exists. Problem isn’t really whether
or not absolute truth exists; it is simply whether or not you believe it does.
We are and always have been a people who often times prefer
to do it our way, and go the way we desire to go, looking for our own personal
truth. Look at what the prophet Jeremiah told God’s chosen people about the
direction they should go:
Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV)
Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
God had never led them anywhere but in the right direction,
and yet they wanted to go their own way. Sound familiar? God’s Word is absolutely
true, and we should absolutely follow it – and that is our choice. God is not
presenting His Word as a suggestion to agree or not agree with Him. God is
not looking for agreement in order to bless us, He is looking for the required
obedience, and that brings us His blessings.
Reality is that agreement is pursued so often because it is
just easier than conflict. Conflict is hard, and can even be painful. This is
all about asking the right person over asking the right question. I believe we
should seek God’s absolute truth, not agreement, and endure any and all conflict
in order to get there.
…just sayin’
In His grip,
Pastor Pat
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