The key to this dilemma, I found, actually lies in the idea of free will. The Bible tells us that from the very beginning man was given "free will". The will to chose his own path even if only one of those paths leads to the Lord and His salvation. To my mind this makes free will a God given right to all and therefore one which we must respect. The Bible is a map of the path to the Lord and His salvation but it has no meaning and no relevance to those who of their own free will choose another path even though that path leads nowhere but to a fiery pit. They must not only travel it without the Lord they must also make their own map for in His Word the Lord clearly gives us no other one than that which is in the Bible. When I read the Bible it becomes clear to me in many parts of it that although the Lord is the Lord of all, the Bible and its teachings and instructions are for the Israelites and those who would call themselves Israelites and for those who would later call themselves Christians. I believe that is why in Luke 23:34 Jesus could look upon the Roman soldiers who had just cruelly nailed Him to the cross and were now callously casting lots for His clothing and forgive them for "they know not what they are doing" and yet condemn the Pharisees as a brood of vipers (Matthew 3:7) because they put themselves forward as the Lord's people and yet would not follow His teachings. To my mind those who choose another path deny themselves both the relevance of the Bible AND the Lord's promises, protection and salvation it contains. However for those of us who would call ourselves Christians the Bible neither validates nor upholds any other path to the Lord and His salvation other than the one it teaches and therefore as Christians we cannot validate or uphold them either. But when I read that self same Bible I see it also teaches that all have been given the free will to chose their own path and so we must recognise that as well. They have the right - to be wrong. But why is the right to be wrong so important? Because, to my mind, it establishes a neutral zone where Christians are able to stand in the midst of the non-Christian without compromising our faith and our stance. A place where our outstretched hand is reachable but at the same time protected. To my way of thinking it would seem that, for now, the Lord has given both Christians and non-Christians the right to exist in and share this World on which we all stand and Christians have permission, and the right, to walk in their midst, in order that we might be reachable - BUT not in their paths, which lead neither to the Lord nor to His salvation.

Jesus knew this neutral territory - and its boundaries - well. Always prepared to enter the tavern, but never the tavern into Him. To sup with tax collectors but always leave behind that which was Caesar's and take with Him only that which was the Lord's. Always prepared to lend an ear to the prostitutes but never a body nor a soul except as a substitute upon the cross. To stand before the Pharisees, but never with them. So how do we the repentant walk in the midst of the unrepentant? I believe we do it by respecting the right of others to be wrong and seeking out the neutral territory - and its boundaries - and extending always the hand of the Lord.

D.J. Ludlow

Provided it is done freely and without charge

"The Right - To Be Wrong" may be copied, used and distributed

(in its entirety only, including this notice)

by brothers and sisters in Christ

to the profit and glory of The Lord alone (ttpagoTLa)

By special permission of 

D.J. Ludlow copyright 2001

#smallgiftsministries #ttpagoTLa