Aug18 Written by:Nathan Williams
Monday, August 18, 2008
Paul had rights.
1 Cor. 9:4 - a right to eat and drink (enjoy the good things of life)
1 Cor. 9:5 - a right to marry a good woman and take her with him on his preaching trips
1 Cor. 9:6 - a right to refrain from working (and be monetarily supported by the brethren)
We like people to know we have rights. We have a right to say what we want to say. We have a right to make a good living. We have a right to the best health care. We have a right to own lots of property. We have a right to have fun. We have a right to be happy. We have a right to have rights!
Whatever. We only have rights where God has given us allowance. We ought not to use the fact "we have rights" as an excuse to run rough-shod over our brethren and neighbors. God has NOT given us a right to be ugly to each other. We may TECHNICALLY have the right to sue a brother, a right given by the laws of the land, but God has not given us that right. We may have the "right" to tell a brother exactly what's on our mind, but Jesus still said, "Do to others what you would have them do to you."
Paul said, "Though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more" (1 Cor. 9:19). Paul was not all about exercising his rights. He was about using what he had to win people to the Lord. If I could sum up this perspective in one word, it would be "Service." Paul made himself a servant to all men. What a beautiful thing. Paul had a right as an apostle to do all kinds of things, but he was careful not to push his rights in people's faces. He bent over backwards not to offend.
What can we do today to be servants to others?
May you be a blessing to others today,
Nathan
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