Hebrews 12:1-2 CSB “Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12 is probably my favorite chapter in the entire Bible. I love it so much because it reminds me to stay focused on Jesus. As Christians, you’d think that would be easy for us, but we not only get distracted by weights and sins but we can also get distracted by supposed good things like defending the faith, which many times has nothing to do with defending the faith but getting in theological arguments with other Christians.

Before you continue reading, read the twelfth chapter of Hebrews. It’s easy to get sucked into these Christian disputes, and we think we’re really accomplishing something, but let’s look at two passages that show how silly we become with our debates.

Luke 9:49-50 CSB “John responded, “Master, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he does not follow us.” 50 “Don’t stop him,” Jesus told him, “because whoever is not against you is for you.”

1 Corinthians 1:10-13 CSB “Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. 11 For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by members of Chloe’s people, that there is rivalry among you. 12 What I am saying is this: One of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name?”

Now, some may be saying, what about heresy? Paul called out people by name, and on and on we can go – but here’s the thing, our answer is in a Jewish quote that goes something like, “fight eveil when it presents itself but not as your life mission, your life mission is to spread the light.”

I am guilty of very quickly being sucked into these kinds of things, our flesh delights in drama, but our spirits rejoice in peace. Paul addressed people he knew. Unfortunately, in our day, because of technology, we have access to people we would never have heard of otherwise, and all sides have their favorite targets. I am reminded of a passage in The Message Paraphrase, “Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust. (Proverbs 4:23-27 MSG).

Constant debate is not a defense of the truth; it’s a sideshow distraction. Tit for tat between charismatic and non-charismatic, Calvinist and Wesleyan, all of it serves no real purpose, and that’s hard for many of us to get! We all believe we are saved by grace through faith, yet we argue over finer points. If there’s one thing I’m beginning to understand, and I mean beginning, it’s that God is bigger than my mind, and the Bible is right; His ways aren’t mine. So, if I’m going to fix my eyes on Jesus as Hebrews 12 says, I’ll have to ignore sideshow distractions like Proverbs 4 says.

Be it theological arguments or a favorite politician, keep your eyes on Jesus – God’s Kingdom is not of this world. A political party won’t prepare it and the only label that gets us into heaven is washed by the blood. Let’s be wise to the ploys of the enemy and walk with Jesus. Address error when it presents itself in our own circles; don’t go find it for the sake of defending the truth. Most errors nowadays are widely known because people are “exposing” them. The truth will set people free, talk about God’s truth more than someone else’s error.