Some people have an inordinate sense of justice. We cannot abide to have people mistreat us or to speak unkindly about us. We may tend to loudly defend ourselves and to protest any perceived injustice. We may fervently defend our reputation by vociferously explaining to others our point of view in an effort to set the record straight and to defend our reputation.
While the need to protect our image may appear important to us at the time, it may cost us a relationship. At times “being right” may prevent us from “being reconciled.”
God has called us to have a ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19). God cares more about people than about reputations. His heart is to bring about forgiveness and unity. At times we can be too quick to forfeit a relationship in order to win an argument. Too often we allow even petty disagreements to rob us of valuable friendships.
Think about a relationship you may have lost. What was the cause? What might you have done differently to prevent its loss? Was the point of disagreement worth the loss of the relationship? Did your actions reflect the heart of God? If you had forgiven the offense, would you still enjoy fellowship with that person? Be careful to not jettison people in the name of “being right.” There is nothing on earth more important in God’s eyes than people.