From Gary... That third side

Recently, I found my DVD collection of the "Waltons". Both Linda and I have enjoyed watching it from the beginning and have often commented how the world has changed since World War II.  I wonder: what really caused the change?  Humm, this picture says it all (even though it is a bit hard to read)There are two sides to every story. As far as it goes, this statement iscorrect.

People will do, what people will do- because they think that they are right. But what if EVERYONE IS RIGHT? Answer- then there is no right!!!

I wonder, can one person be more right than another? The Bible says...

Proverbs, Chapter 18 (WEB)

 17 He who pleads his cause first seems right;

until another comes and questions him.

Matthew, Chapter 5 (WEB)

 21  “You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever shall murder shall be in danger of the judgment.’   22  But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca! ’ shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.

27  “You have heard that it was said,  ‘You shall not commit adultery;’  28  but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.   29  If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.   30  If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.

 31  “It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’  32  but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery. 

  33  “Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,’   34  but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;   35  nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.   36  Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.   37  But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one. 

  38  “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’  39  But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.   40  If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.   41  Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.   42  Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you. 

  43  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’  44  But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,   45  that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.   46  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?   47  If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?   48  Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. 

Matthew, Chapter 17 (WEB)

  1 After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.  2 He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.  3 Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him. 

  4  Peter answered, and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 

  5  While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” 

Matthew, Chapter 28 (WEB)

 16  But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them.  17 When they saw him, they bowed down to him, but some doubted.  18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 

Ecclesiastes, Chapter 12 (WEB)

 13  This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.  14 For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil. 

Human reasoning can become a twisted maze of "logic" than can mean anything. And even the best human argument can be destroyed (Prov. 18 above) A lawyer friend of mine proved this to me by taking a concept and arguing first the "pro" and then the "con" view- and each time proving logically that each side was correct!!! 

So, who is right? The person with the best analytical skills? I think NOT!  

Proverbs, Chapter 16 (WEB)

  25 There is a way which seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.

If you really want to know right from wrong, correct from incorrect, consult your Maker, and learn from the word of God. But, be prepared; truth may not always be what you have been led to believe.

In the verses from Matthew 5, Jesus confronts man's truth, with God's truth and some hated Jesus enough to crucify him. Others (even his own apostles) wouldn't listen or believe (Matt.17 and 28).

Consider, there is a third side to truth (my side, your side and GOD'S SIDE). Embrace God's side, follow Jesus and live. I especially like how Solomon put it...

Ecclesiastes, Chapter 12 (WEB)

 13  This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.  14 For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil. 

The only thing that remains is the question: Will I listen, or not?