If you're familiar with the old TV sitcom, "Happy Days," you probably remember that one of the characters had trouble admitting when he was wrong. That character, Fonzi, would say, "I was wrrro; I was wrrron; I was not exactly right." I know I am dating myself, but I enjoyed watching that show and Fonzi was my favorite character. However, in this matter, we must not be like the Fonz. When we are wrong about something, the right response is the humble response. We must be willing to admit when we are in the wrong, and change our minds.
The apostle Paul once thought he was doing the right thing, as he later recounted in life: Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 26:9 NKJV). So he zealously persecuted those who followed Jesus. But later, as he traveled on the road to Damascus to persecute more Christians, he met Jesus and came to the understanding that he indeed had been in the wrong. What was Paul's reaction? Did he sulk, cry, throw a fit, or act like the Fonz? No. He told king Agrippa, "I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19). Paul changed his mind, and subsequently people noticed the change in his life, and said, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy” (Galatians 1:23).
But the humble response is not the world's response. Some children will make excuses for their bad behavior. Some politicians will lie and deny their bad behavior. Even some Christians will rationalize their wrong behavior deceiving themselves that it is righteous behavior. This is not humility. It is pride, and the Bible tells us that pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18). It is pride that will keep two Christians from reconciling, and be in violation of what the Lord has said (Matthew 5:23,24). As Christians, we cannot be like this. Our behavior ought to be different from the world's, and humility is a necessary virtue. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering (Colossians 3:12).
How have you reacted upon realizing you've been wrong about something? Perhaps with the way you worship God, or the way you dress, or the amount you give to the Lord? When God's word convicts us of our wrong, we must change. For Jesus said, Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish (Luke 13:3). When we freely admit that we're wrong, and change, God stands ready to exalt us (see Luke 18:9-14). For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 18:14b).
Brotherly, Jamie
