Keeping The Gospel at the Forefront

There are always going to be disagreements among Christians. I for one love to debate with others over our disagreements. It is a self-serving desire that I have and it does nothing to progress the Gospel but I find myself in the trap all the time. Thankfully I stumbled across 1 Corinthians 4. Take some time to read it. (Click on the title above.) Paul is reminding us of how we are not to be puffed up against each other. A battle for words leads nowhere. The kingdom of God is not in words but power. That power is the Gospel. Our arrogance shows when we are more concerned with winning an argument rather than presenting the Gospel. We will never be satisfied "winning" an argument if it is not centered on the Truth of the Gospel. We should certainly expose error when and where needed, but as the ending of this passage says, with love and gentleness, not a rod of iron. Keeping the Gospel at the forefront of our discussions is doing exactly what the Apostles did. They knew the transforming Truth it contained and the importance of teaching that every where they went. Let us be imitators of Paul and preach the Gospel throughout our lives. It IS the winning argument!