Over the past several weeks, we have discussed the need to give up our rights for the gospel’s sake. In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul gives us several reasons why we should be willing to do this. We do this because we love the gospel. Through the gospel, we enter into a relationship with the eternal God. Our sins are forgiven, and Christ’s righteousness is placed on our account. Every Christian should desire this same amazing process to take place in other’s lives. As a result, we should be willing to sacrifice our rights for opportunities to proclaim this powerful news. We also give up our rights for the gospel’s sake because we love people. As a result, we are willing to adapt to their culture and proclivities. We seek to remove any unnecessary barriers to Gospel opportunities.

 

However, giving up our rights and surrendering our desires so that we can share the gospel requires humility. It takes humility to understand that we are not always right. It takes humility to realize that our ways and desires are not always the best. When we come into contact with others whose thoughts and ways differ from ours, we often respond with derisive superiority. So, it takes humility to change our attitude and actions to enter that individual’s life. You may be a person who believes that watching and following sports is a waste of time.

 

You would much rather read books, fix things, or spend time outside in nature. You cannot understand how someone can spend an entire weekend watching television, investing his emotions in people he doesn’t know. You believe that he is foolishly wasting his time. Yet, that person is your new, unsaved neighbor. To enter his life and seek gospel opportunities, it would be wise for you to humble yourself, learn about the sports he is interested in, watch them with him, talk about them with him, and build a friendship to have opportunities to share the gospel. You may not like sports, but for the sake of your neighbor’s soul, you should consider humbling yourself and entering into his life.

 

However, this also has ramifications in areas of conflict. It might be that your neighbor has wronged you or annoyed you. It is wise in those moments to consider the cost of demanding your rights. Sometimes, the neighbor’s sin harms others, and you must stand up to defend them. However, our pride often demands that we stand up for our rights. In these moments, we must consider their souls more than our rights. Is your comfort more important than their eternal soul?

 

Several years ago, I met a man who would quickly become a friend. What is interesting about our friendship is that we have little in common. He is 20 years older than me. He holds political opinions that are directly opposite mine. He loves cars, and I love sports. Yet, we developed a strong friendship. This happened because we determined that our differences were simply differences. We were not enemies. We have open and frank discussions about our differences, but with respect. As a result, I have been able to share the gospel many times over the years without surrendering the truth. At the same time, I look back at all the times I chose my rights and opinions over relationships and lost Gospel opportunities. I look at those moments with shame. Ultimately, as we make decisions, we must humble ourselves and view other’s eternal souls as more important than our rights and opinions.