« The Passing of Dr. William S. H. Piper |
Main
| New Attitude »
My Rights Box
Everybody has a "rights box." It's represents the stuff I'm allowed to do. It's all that I believe to be permissible, allowable, and perfectly justified within my Christian liberties. In a sense, it's what works for me.
But is "what works for me" all I have to consider in when it comes to my behavior as a believer? In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul wrote to Christians who were very convinced of their "right" to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to attend cultic meals. They a had theological justification that Paul didn't disagree with—but he pointed out the glaring oversight of the "knowledge" that had led to their conclusion: they weren't thinking of others.
When we fail to consider others and their spiritual well-being, our "rights box" can become a stumbling block for other Christians.
For more on how love for others should shape our use of our rights, you can listen to my recent sermon on 1 Corinthians 8. I used the red box above as a prop during my message. The take-away point of the sermon is that the gospel frees us to love others more than we love our own rights.
I'd love to get your feedback here and find out what issues you face when it comes rights and love for others. In my message I named secular music, entertainment and drinking as modern-day examples among Christians. What would you add to the list? And how do you guide your actions according to a love that "builds up"?
Featured Sermons
- The Heart of the Problem
This message, the third of our Jeremiah series, considers the root of our sinful actions, and the only true cure. - This week at Covenant Life
The Parable of the Sower
Nanoblog
Bad Guy Caught With a Mac: This is a great story. A girl's Apple laptop gets stolen but she uses a remote access program to control it and takes a picture of the thief as the doofus sits in front of the stolen computer. "Smile! You're getting your mug shot taken!" Using the picture, the police nab the bad guy. Moral of the story? Don't mess with a high-tech girl's Mac.
New Word Alive's Top 10: The recent New Word Alive conference showed a video top-ten list of books for students. My book Sex is Not the Problem made the list. It's pretty funny. I just wish mine could have made it in the wok.
Challies on Do Hard Things: Here's a review by Tim Challies of my brothers' new book Do Hard Things.
Search joshharris.com:
Favorite Posts
Blogs
- Al Mohler
- Between 2 Worlds
- Church Matters
- CJ Mahaney
- Girl Talk
- New Attitude
- Of First Importance
- Pure Church
- Reformation 21
- Solo Femininity
- The Blazing Center
- The Shepherd's Scrapbook
- Tim Challies
- Together for the Gospel
- Trusting God with a Migraine
- Worship Matters
Sites
Church?
"I am reading Joshua Harris book Stop Dating the Church...love it. He talks about the people who believe they can be Christians and never go to church. I have heard this argument many times. They don't believe you have to fellowship..." (Read full post here.)
Jargon Meets Advice
"Boy Meets GirlA Brief Review
"I think this book [Sex is Not the Problem (Lust Is)
Comments (11)
Very interesting topic. I love how you always bring things to a different light...a different way to think about things. I think you will find that Mabel Williamson is thinking along the same lines in her book entitled "Have We No Rights?" Check it out. I know that you will not be disappointed.
In answer to your question, I think that one we can add is that we have the "right" to worship God. Some may not think that that is a right but a result of love. However, many people still may get caught up in HOW we worship God. I figure that if it is not contradictory to Scripture and done for the glory of God, then raising hands, dancing, singing, working, and even studying is how God intended us to rightly worship.
Posted by Josh Blaha | March 10, 2007 5:44 PM
good one Josh!
I think another one that we can add is that Christians don't have an agreement on modesty in clothing. So... we have a problem in that area as well.
I totally agree with Josh though, worship has become something that it shouldn't've. It needs to remain all about Him, yet we've turned it into "what are they thinking when they look at me..."
Posted by Cass | March 10, 2007 6:49 PM
Hi Josh,
I haven't had a chance to hear your message yet so I'm not sure if you mention this concept or not but I often think about that verse in reverse (no pun intended :) I think there are opportunities to show love and respect for people (perhaps in a certain culture) by doing things that some Christians would complain about. For example if my work is having a celebration at christmas, I will join them in drinking a glass of wine. I my context I think that is better Christian witness that refusing to drink based on religious beliefs.
I know some people might take a different view to me there but I think there is also room for possibility of out of love for others taking hold of some of these rights?
What do you think?
Posted by James Brunskill | March 11, 2007 11:04 PM
James,
The point you raise is exactly what Paul discusses in the chapter 9. In areas where there is freedom he was willing to "be all things to all men" in order to win a hearing for the gospel.
Joshua
Posted by Joshua Harris | March 11, 2007 11:13 PM
I think the use of our money can also fall into this category. There is a balance between enjoying God's financial blessings and at the same time keeping the discipline of simplicity.
Most of us at some point or another have probably wondered if something that we are buying is a a good use of God's resources.
Posted by Kevin | March 13, 2007 8:46 PM
This is how I have seen this verse for m and something that I have been doing in relation to this verse without even knowing it to a degree. I am 39. I know I have to keep in mind that I need to be careful what I do with others so that I dont cause another brother to stumble. If I do something that is okay for me but not for another pending the setting. I need to keep in mind that I dont need to do it, if it will hurt my brother in Christ. I have also thought this to be the case when it comes to that verse. This is what I learned in church growing up. What about this?
I know when I grew up in church they always applied drinking and that sort of thing to that verse but given our day and age. I see more than just drinking involved. I know my neighbor may take a drink but I dont have to and -I usually will visit the neighbor even when the neighbor wants one. And if the neighbor wants a drink the neighbor can have one in my presence. But I wont because of my family background. SO here is another -what is my word-way of seeing it I guess; another way I have handled that verse. I see more than just drinking in this. I have thought of TV being one. I know when I have been with others. I know others have not thought about what is seen on TV as being a connection to this; and What is sent across the internet.
I haven't had a chance to hear it either and I want to.
I never realized that worship involved more than just doing it in a church service. I never thought of worship in this context.
I also was reminded after I read something about witnessing in relation to this chapter. That we need to hear their story first before we can earn the right to share our story and Christ story given what is happening in our day and age. I can explain this if you want me too.
Judith
Posted by Judith Stevens | March 13, 2007 10:22 PM
By the way Josh, I hope to meet you in person at the New Attitude conference (I'll be there).
Your books are quite popular here in the Philippines. Will all of the trashy media that gets imported here, it is nice to see that Christian literature also gets published and used.
Posted by Kevin | March 15, 2007 12:28 AM
Nice topic! Well, here's a suggestion especially for my generation - relationship and our attitute?
I don't know about the other places, but i have heard real stories that Christians are more "wild" when it comes to relationships and premiscious life. I've known that to be happening in my old church. Now when i'm studying overseas, i heard that the church that started the one here is like that as well.
Well, for me, i guess these are just some problems that churches face. Truly and honestly, who would listen to the pastor if they are actually doing it because of their own will? Your view would probably just make them more extreme.
My context target group is youths and young adults. Sorry if i offended anyone.
Posted by Reuben | March 15, 2007 1:25 PM
This is the first time I have visited this blog and it goes really well with a study I am doing on love and righteousness.
For me as a young person the biggest challenge is the issue of image... How we balance the way we look and act and what determines the way we look and act. How do we as young peaple balance a pharisitical "amish like" image with a genunine love for all the world- and not be judged by other Christians as being "worldly"? Is there an answer to this?
Posted by Aaron Dodson | March 16, 2007 1:51 PM
I wrote a comment here a couple days ago, but after I submitted it, it said that it was being approved.
Just in case it got lost....I wanted to let you know that I was up in Gaithersburg last weekend on a spring break trip with some friends and got to attend Covenant Life Church on Sunday. I enjoyed your message. I liked what you said about homeschooling and how it could be a possible obstacle in winning the lost. My brother and sister-in-law are planning to homeschool when they have children, and I'm sure they have heard the "what about socialization" question a lot.
I will be attending Na this year! Really looking forward to it; it will be my first time. I have been wanting to attend since I was a young teen (it used to be for singles ages 18-29 back when I first heard about it at your True Love Tour in '97 and '98). My brother and sister-in-law will be coming with me too!
Posted by Iris | March 17, 2007 2:39 PM
Iris,
I'm so glad you could visit Covenant Life and that you're coming to Na. Thanks for dropping by to post a comment.
Joshua
Posted by Joshua Harris | March 18, 2007 8:35 AM