I Could Be Wrong

“One question I’ve had to ask myself repeatedly is this: Am I even open to the possibility that I could be wrong in my beliefs? If so, would I have the courage to change my actions?
— Francis Chan, “Forgotten God”

When I read the above from Francis Chan, who pastors Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, CA, I have to be honest. My first reaction was towards others. I thought of everyone else in my life who I think is blinded. I can name relatives, friends and acquaintances who really, really should read and apply this.

They are self-righteous, even dogmatic, in what they believe. From doctrine to politics, from relationships to world affairs, from morality to people — They are right. Just ask them.

I have personally suffered at the hands of those who are so rationally convinced of a decision, that there is no discussion to the contrary. And I’ll bet you have too.

But Chan isn’t talking to everyone else. He’s talking to me.

And when you read the words of Isaiah, the prophet’s message isn’t directed to all those who have done me wrong. When he says, “Woe to those that call evil good and good evil,” it’s a long finger of conviction right to my heart. It’s a word for me.

“Exchanging truth for a lie” is how we justify our actions.

Even though we have clear instruction and we know in our deepest heart that an action is wrong, we listen to the other voices: modern reasoning, human psychology and bad theology. We are convinced that the path we are on is true. Our belief system is turned upside and right becomes wrong, wrong becomes right.