To Not Make Rights Wrongs

3/25/2016

1 Corinthians 10.23,24 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. – St. Paul

I’m driving down from Larch summit yesterday and right about milepost 16 at Whitney, I think about this verse. And for several miles I think about what I have the right to do which may not be all that beneficial to do in front of others. Rights are never to be used as weapons. Rights are rights because they are right. But when rights are wrong is when they are used to run roughshod over someone else. One of the highest callings in the life of the believer is to be sensitive to another’s choices, beliefs, and behaviors.

The Christian life is about freedom. We have been made free in Christ, but our freedom is never to be self-motivated to the detriment of others. Our freedom is never to be thrown around recklessly so that others are hurt (or offended) in the process.

Well, what about protesting things like choices or lifestyles? What about having a beer or a glass of wine? It’s not that we don’t do those things; it’s we do them for the benefit of others, not to bash others. Rights are often used as clubs to beat down the other side. That was never the intention for them. But as men we are always looking for the angle that will give us a leg up over the opposition. When we do that, rights become wrongs because others are hurt in the process and all of the freedoms we have become agendas with which to manipulate and control others.

"Honorius, who inherited the empire of Europe, put a stop to the gladitorial combats which had long been held at Rome.  The occasion of his doing so arose from the following circumstance.  A certain man of the name of Telemachus had embraced the ascetic life.  He had set out from the East and for this reason had repaired to Rome.  There, when the abominable spectacle was being exhibited, he went himself into the stadium, and stepping down into the arena, endeavored to stop the men who were wielding their weapons against one another.  The spectators of the slaughter were indignant, and inspired by the triad fury of the demon who delights in those bloody deeds, stoned the peacemaker to death.

When the admirable emperor was informed of this he numbered Telemachus in the number of victorious martyrs, and put an end to that impious spectacle.”

–  Theodoret of Cyrus (Cyrrhus in Syria), The Ecclesiastical History A.D. 429

Rights. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. (Matthew 5.9) With our rights we are to deal with the wrongs but we are also to comfort and encourage others with peace in the process.

Father, may I use my rights to bring change and to make this world a better place. May I be sensitive to the rights of others that I may not trample theirs with mine or set the stage for divisiveness in the process. I have the right to do anything – except use my rights to cause wrongs in others. Help me to be sensitive – Amen.