Lay Down My Rights

SCRIPTURE

7The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 1 Corinthians 6

OBSERVATION

I have a weakness. I want justice. I fight for justice. I am offended when justice is not done. I hate being wronged and I hate being cheated, but in Corinthians Paul says that it is better to be wronged or cheated than to enter in to a lawsuit with another Christian. If we have even gotten as far as a starting a lawsuit we have lost. This speaks to the importance of relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Relationship is more important than justice. Wow, that’s a tough one for me. Relationships are so important that I must lay down my rights to maintain them.

APPLICATION

Justice is important and it has it’s place, but I must work and fight for healthy relationships more than justice. I have to be willing to let others be right or come out ahead of me, in order to keep relationships. It’s really a pride issue. Am I willing to put others first, to put aside my ego and my pride, to foster strong relationships? Often times, laying down my rights can be so much more powerful than standing up for them. After all, it’s what Jesus did.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me to be more like You. Give me the strength and courage to lay down my rights, rather than fight for them. Help me to foster strong relationships, rather than justice.
In Jesus name,
Amen