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From an early age, we are taught that a person's rights are crucial and should not be trampled on. There is nothing wrong with this assessment. However, as Christians, we need a more nuanced view. Our legal rights are subject to God's will. We must understand that the rights created by constitutions and other documents are secondary to God's desires and instructions. It is time to learn to rely not on man's words but on the word of God. As we do so, we shall realize that it is fine to give up certain 'rights' because the King of kings will always uphold his word and therefore, our superior rights as His children.
Paul and Silas were arrested in Philippi because Paul delivered a slave girl from an evil spirit of divination (Acts 16). The girl had relied upon that spirit to make money through fortune telling, which is satanic, for her owners. When they learned of her spiritual freedom, they accused the disciples of teaching ideas contrary to Roman law. The magistrates had the disciples flogged and thrown in prison. While there, the men worshiped at midnight with prayers and singing, and God moved mightily. The ground shook, shackles broke, and the prison doors opened. Their fellow prisoners got to see God's power intimately. Their warden and his family also gave their lives to Christ that night.
God didn't stop there. In the morning, the magistrates changed their minds and ordered Paul and Silas released and sent officers to relay the message. Acts 16:37 - But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” The magistrates heard of the disciples' citizenship and became scared. They went to the prison to appease Paul and Silas because, as Roman citizens, they were supposed to have been afforded proper legal procedures and not just beaten and imprisoned as non-citizens could be treated.
Paul could have made this point earlier during his interaction with the magistrates, but instead, he and Silas humbled themselves and allowed their legal rights to be disregarded. They didn't do that because they had low self-esteem. On the contrary, they did this because they trusted that God was taking them where He wanted them to be. That place just so happened to be a prison. While not a desirable place to visit, God used their presence there to work miracles and introduce Himself to people who would otherwise never learn about Jesus Christ. The gospel had to come to them.
There are times when we've got to give up our rights so God can use us to reach the unreached and teach the untaught. Such submission is not a sign of weakness but indicates a believer's faith and reliance on God's grace. God's word is that anyone treated unfairly will receive His justice and righteousness (Psalm 103:6 NLT). There is no question that Paul and Silas were unfairly treated. All they did was free a demonized girl, the way Jesus taught. However, that slave's oppression meant money for her owners, and that was enough for the disciples to be villainized. But God honored His word, and His disciples were treated like men of honor and escorted by the magistrates who begged them not to be angry.
God is just. And if He sends His children into the 'lion's den,' He will ensure they come out glorified. However, His children must lay their rights down to receive the reward that awaits. In no way is this message supposed to discourage anyone from obeying the laws of man when they do not conflict with God's word. After all, in Mark 12:17, Jesus said we are to give Caesar what is Caesar's, and other parts of the Bible teach us to respect our leaders and, by inference, the laws they create (Proverbs 8:15). Therefore, we will always need God's wisdom and instructions on how to manage the troublesome situations that will arise. These could be in the workplace, in our familial relationships, or even while on public transportation.
Can we give up our rights and allow God to do with us as He wills, the way Paul and Silas did? Are we willing to tolerate discrimination and trust the Lord to lead us out of the lion's den in victory as He did with Daniel? Can we let God have His way with our lives? Jesus showed us what it means to submit all rights for the will of God and the blessing of others. We are still reaping the fruits of that sacrifice. Through Him, we receive strength to honor God as stated in Philippians 4:13 - For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. And the Spirit of the Lord remains charged with helping us navigate life with God's wisdom and scriptures. When the time comes to give up our rights, and it will come for every believer, we have to know that the Lord will defend and reward us. Our Heavenly Father will always help, IJN, Amen.
See you at Noon EST for fellowship. God bless you.
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