Who’s Right?

"Dad, at Declan's church they don't teach exactly the same things as they do at our church," Nicholas said one day. "We had an argument about it. Declan said his church is right, and I said ours is. Ours really is right, isn't it?"Before Dad could attempt an answer, Nicholas's little sister and brother came into the kitchen carrying a toy keyboard. They set it on the table. "Connor and me want to play one of the songs Daddy taught us," said Nevaeh. "Okay?"Nicholas laughed. "Okay." Using just one finger each, the kids began to play. As they carefully pressed the keys, Nicholas thought he recognized "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." But then it became obvious that the two youngsters were each playing a different song."Wait a minute!" Dad stopped the little musicians. "You're not following my instructions. I said you should decide together which song to play and then come and show me how well you could do it. Go practice one song, and then come and play for us again."When the children were gone, Dad grinned at Nicholas. "That sure didn't sound the way I intended their music to turn out. But you know, this reminds me of what we were talking about. Jesus wants His children to all play the same song. Anyone who trusts in Him for the forgiveness of their sins is part of His family, and He wants all Christians to be unified--to be one.""But which song should we be playing? Whose church is right--Declan's or ours?" Nicholas asked again."God's way is right," Dad answered. "I don't know what church Declan attends, so I don't know what his church teaches. But we obviously believe the church we go to teaches the truth of what God says in His Word. That's why we go there.""So that's what I should tell Declan the next time we argue about church differences?" asked Nicholas."Why argue? Why don't you and Declan make an agreement to read the Bible and pray that Jesus would help you both grow in your understanding of what it says?" suggested Dad. "Trust Him to help you be in harmony as you share God's love and truth with those around you." -Katherine R. Adams