Word for Today, Fri. 30 Nov 2001: Rights and Responsibilities
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Do you ever struggle, attempting to relate to someone, but
clashing with others? On occasion I run into those kinds of
situations. Once again, Neil Anderson offers an insightful
message that discusses the emphasis of rights and
responsibilities, and how demanding our rights tends to undermine
so many relationships. Neil notes that responsibilities rightly
outweigh our own rights in any healthy relationship.
Jesus perfectly portrayed in His life how He gave up ALL rights
as King of the Universe to come and serve, then He offered His
own life as a RANSOM, to pay the price for OUR sins.
May the overwhelming attitude of thanks and praise dwell in our
hearts as we consider all the wonders God has done in our lives!
Your Brother in Christ,
Brian
Reply-to:Neil Anderson <neilanderson@lists.crosswalk.com>
Subject:Neil Anderson Devotional for Friday, November 30, 2001
If you are looking to feed and challenge your faith, visit
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N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries
November 30
RESPONSIBILITIES OVER RIGHTS
You were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your
freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve
one another (Galatians 5:13).
Nothing will distort relationships faster than emphasizing our
rights over our responsibilities. For example, a husband may chip
at his wife because he feels he has a right to expect her to be
submissive. A wife may nag her husband because she expects him to
be the spiritual leader. Parents harass their children because
they feel it's their right to demand obedience. Members are
offended in the local church when they think their rights have
been violated by pastors, boards or other members.
Any time people insist on their rights at the expense of failing
to assume their responsibilities, they are going down to defeat.
For example, a pregnant woman may demand her right for an
abortion. She says it is her body and she can do whatever she
wants with it. Then she proceeds to demonstrate her irresponsible
use of her body to everyone! We don't have an abortion problem;
we have an irresponsible sex problem.
In God's system, our focus is to be fulfilling our
responsibilities, not insisting on our rights. Husband, having a
submissive wife is not your right; but being a loving, caring
husband is your responsibility. Headship is not a right to be
demanded but an awesome responsiblity to be fulfilled.
Similarly, wives, having a spiritual husband is not your right;
but being a submissive, supportive wife is your responsibility.
Parents, raising obedient children is not your right; but
disciplining your children in the nurture and instruction of the
Lord is your responsibility. Being a member of the Body of Christ
and of a local church is an incredible privilege, not a right.
This privilege comes with the awesome responsibility to behave as
God's children and become a lover of people. When we stand before
Christ, He will not ask us if we received everything we had
coming to us. But He will reward us for how well we fulfilled our
responsiblities.
Lord, help me relinquish my rights and focus on my
responsibilities in all my relationships today.
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This daily devotional is published and distributed by
Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at
<http://www.ficm.org >.
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<devotionals.crosswalk.com >.
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Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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