If there's one thing anyone would be most passionate about it's being right. We all have this innate urge to fight for being right. We don't like being corrected and we don't like being wrong so many times we argue with others on social media, at work or even at home to the point of hurting and offending others.
But is being right really that important? We think that being right and being righteous are always the same thing. While most of the time it is, there is a difference between being in right standing in the eyes of God and being politically correct.
Let's look at three Biblical examples of righteous men were righteous even though they were not politically correct.
Abraham vs. Lot
In Genesis 13:7 we see a family feud between the two enterprises of Abraham and Lot: "and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land." As a result of the argument, Abraham and Lot decide to split the land accordingly. Peculiarly, Abraham gives Lot the first pick.
Was Abraham politically right to take the second draft pick? No. The promise of the land was given to him, not Lot. But because Abraham was a righteous man, He chose to value her relationships more than the material possession.
David vs. Saul
The story of King Saul and the young David is like a political conspiracy theory movie. A corrupt politician sees the threat a young rising leader poses to his rule and tries to kill him. On two occasions David gets the opportunity to kill his enemy but refuses to do so. "'I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed." said David (1 Samuel 24:10).
Was it the right thing to do? Not unless you wanted to live another five years running away. But was it the righteous thing to do? We all know it was.
Jesus vs. Us
The most history-shaking decision ever made was for Jesus to decide to die on a cross for the sins of mankind. Was it right to crucify an innocent man? No. Was it right for Jesus to not stand up for His own rights? No. But because He knew the bigger plan and the bigger picture, he chose to be wrongly accused and to be perceived as politically wrong in order that we all be spiritually right.
Righteousness and being right aren't always the same thing. When faced with a scenario where you have to choose between the two, which would you go for?
