Laying Down Rights

Mark 1:17-18 - “'Come, follow me,'” Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' At once they left their nets and followed him." (NIV)

Mark 10:21-22 - "Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,' he said. 'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth." (NIV)

Mark 10:29-30 - “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields–and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life." (NIV)

Luke 9:23-26 - "Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.'" (NIV)

Luke 9:61-62 - "Still another said, 'I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.' Jesus replied, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'" (NIV)

What would slow you down or stop you in the process of following Jesus? Rights that have not been surrendered to Jesus will always hold you back. Unsurrendered rights will lead you into disobedience and will cut off your God-given destiny. This is pretty serious. So, what are rights in the first place?

Rights are anything  we hold onto instead of holding onto Jesus. The things we hold onto can be good or bad. That is not so much the issue. The problem of holding onto rights is that we can't hold onto our rights and Jesus at the same time. Food is not bad. In fact, we need it to survive. However, when we MUST have our chocolate, our coffee, our health food or other craving, it starts to become a right. Sometimes, our rights can be sinful habits. We would rather hold onto our sin than Jesus. This is obviously wrong. These sinful rights must be thrown away. But, it is often good things that we find ourselves clinging to for security and comfort. What could these things be?
  • Parents
  • Education
  • Food
  • Drinks
  • Clothing
  • Money
  • Future plans
  • Time management
  • Sleep
  • Entertainment
  • Social media
  • Reputation
  • Friends
  • Boyfriend / girlfriend / marriage
  • Culture
Nothing in the list above is specifically bad. But, when they are held onto as rights ("I must have this now"), they quickly spoil and become wrong.  How do you know when something has become a "right" in your life?
  • When your reaction to being without something in the list above is one of fear, panic, worry or obsession…
  • When you do not listen for or hear God's boundaries with the areas listed above…
  • When you compartmentalize your relationship with God and keep him locked away in your quiet time, meanwhile the rest of your life is controlled by you…
  • When the fear of man dominates your decisions…
  • When anger and controlling behavior are common reactions when life or people seem out of control…
Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow him. (Luke 9:23) This is the path of surrendered rights. In fact, Jesus led us down this pathway. He let go of his "right" to stay in heaven with his Father. (Phil. 2:6) He surrendered his right to come to earth with the title "Master of All". Instead, he took on the very nature of a servant. (Phil. 2:7) Jesus laid down his right for all men to think well of him and follow him. (John 6:66) He let go of his right to have personal safety and comfort. (Isa. 53:5) He laid down the right to be the most beautiful-looking human being ever (Isa. 53:2). Jesus  laid down the right of letting humans pay for their own sins. While we were yet sinners, he died for us. (Rom. 5:8)

We can never match the incredible sacrifice of Jesus as he laid down all rights to obey his Father. But, we can follow in his steps by laying down everything that has become a "right" in our lives. What is God saying to you?

For More Study
  • Genesis 22:1-19
  • Luke 9:18-27
  • Luke 9:57-62
  • Luke 10:38-42
  • Luke 18:18-30

Thoughts and Questions for Application
  1. Are there any areas of sin in your life that you have held onto as a right?
  2. Are there any areas in your life that are good, but you have held onto as a right?
  3. What is Jesus telling you to do with those right?

Memorization

Mark 1:17-18 - “'Come, follow me,'” Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' At once they left their nets and followed him." (NIV)