There are probably few things which can cause some people's blood to boil faster than the stinging power of suffering an injustice. Whenever we receive an unjustified attack upon our honor, our possessions or our rights, it can be natural to seek just retribution. And if the perpetrator is a fellow Christian, this only adds insult to injury. We can expect the world to act in ungodly ways, but a disciple of Christ should know better. He or she should be living by a higher standard.
What a punch in the stomach Paul's letter must have been to some of the Christians in Corinth. Instead of commending them for standing on the side of pursuing justice and vindicating their personal losses, Paul's words deftly delivered a surgical razor cut to their heart problem. He simple asked the questions, "Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?" In fact, the apostle suggested that the presence of law suits among them suggested that spiritually they had already been defeated. 1 Corinthians 6:7 From their perspective some might have responded, "how could the apostle possibly write this?"
Paul's questions penetrate to the essence of the issues of life, possessions, hurt pride, etc. What is my objective? Is my goal to righteously defend my rights and personal property? Or are my goals in life shaped by a higher purpose than self and what is mine?
In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul contrasted the fruits of two different ways to live. A life driven by safeguarding my personal rights and freedoms does not contribute to the goal of seeking the well-being of others. Love builds up but knowledge puffs up. 1 Corinthians 8:1 As Paul would demonstrate in chapters 8 and 9, the principle of love can cause a person to forego personal rights in order to achieve the greater good of seeking the well-being of others so that many will be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:33 This is living with a higher ethic than seeking personal vindication. Overcoming evil with good is Christ's mold for the disciple's life. Romans 12:17, 21 To live as a disciple will require us to love God and not the world. 1 John 2:15
A Christian is free to defend himself in court. But in pursuit of the more noble purpose of working toward God being glorified through him and the ultimate well-being of another, a disciple whose heart has been molded by the cross will turn the other cheek toward insults, give more than would be taken through legal action, or go the second mile in offering service. If name of God would be slandered or the well-being of another person would be hindered by pursuing my rights, why not rather be wronged to serve the greater good? This is no passive response to evil, but seeking to overcome evil by doing good. Romans 12:21 After all, our behavior is the manifestation of our heart values.
Sure we have rights, but what do we love most? My rights or the eternal well-being of someone? My possessions or how my actions as a child of God will reflect upon the God whom I serve? What are we trying to achieve? Drawing people closer to God or guarding my temporal earthbound treasure?
Barry Newton, Copyright © 2001
Other articles which may be of interest:
Abusive Relationships & Living for God
She Must Make the First Move" - When Everybody is Right, But Relationships Are Still Broken
Be Perfect ... That's An Order! (God's perfect love is the model for the disciple's life)