MAJOR ON THE MAJORS
Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
2 Timothy 2:23–24 (NLT)
Ever encountered someone who must be right about everything? They carry strong opinions on every topic and are always ready to debate. If you disagree with them, you are either uninformed, stupid, or you have questionable motives. Theology, politics, COVID, Sam’s versus Costco, diet choices. Their view is correct, and everyone else is wrong.
Our culture feels constantly angry, especially online. Sadly, Christians are not immune. We can be drawn into arguments that heat up quickly and produce little fruit. Paul’s warning to Timothy feels current. The servant of the Lord is not called to win arguments but to reflect Christ.
Throughout Scripture, God calls His people to exercise wisdom and discernment about theological and ethical matters; in other words, to do theological triage. Like a doctor on a battlefield, we need to discern or triage the issues. Not all matters carry the same weight. In the Old Testament, idolatry was a first-rank offense that brought judgment and exile.
By contrast, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for majoring on minors, meticulously tithing herbs and enforcing Sabbath traditions while neglecting the weightier matters of justice, mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).
The apostle Paul told the Galatians that distorting the gospel of grace was a first-rank issue, a matter worth dividing over. Yet in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, he described disputes about food, holy days and personal convictions as disputable matters. Believers could agree to disagree in love. Paul went even further, warning Timothy and Titus to avoid foolish controversies altogether, arguments that were not worth the time or damage they caused.
The message is clear. Not every disagreement deserves our energy. Not every opinion requires a response. God calls His people to protect the Gospel, pursue holiness, and practice love.
To major on the majors and minor on the minors means knowing what is essential, holding it firmly, and handling everything else with humility and grace.
APPLICATION: Before engaging in a debate this week, ask yourself: Is this central to the Gospel? Will this conversation build faith, unity and love? Choose kindness over quarrels, clarity over noise, and Christlikeness over being right.
PRAYER: Lord, give us discernment to know what truly matters. Guard our hearts from pride and quarrels. Teach us to stand firm in the truth of the Gospel while walking in humility, patience and love. Make us servants who reflect Jesus in both conviction and compassion. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?