When Rights Are Wrong, Part 2b

2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Christ suffered greatly through sorrow, sacrifice and rejection during His earthly ministry. But His agony intensified in the final hours of His earthly existence, climaxing in the yielding of His life as the Ultimate Sacrifice on behalf of the guilty. He was faced with extreme tests of obedience, which required the constant surrendering of His rights. He forfeited the right to use His power to intervene to prevent His own suffering.

Read Luke 22:39-71; 23:32-46; Matthew 27:26-50.

Break them into three groups, have each one take a passage above and read it within their group.

Have them seek to answer…

What right did Jesus forsake in these passages?

Luke 22:39–71 ESV

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” 54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly. 63 Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. 64 They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” 65 And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him. 66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

Luke 23:32–46 ESV

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

Matthew 27:26–50 ESV

26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him. 32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

He relinquished the right to not be betrayed by one of His closest friends. How was He betrayed?(Luke22:47-49) If a friend betrays you, it is good to remember that Christ suffered in the same way.

Luke 22:47–49 “47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?””

He was betrayed with a kiss…from a friend.

What sins could He have prevented through His intervening power, if He had chosen to do so?

of His friends? (Luke 22:54-61; Matt. 26.23-29)

Luke 22:54–61 “54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.””

Matthew 26:23–29 “23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.” 26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.””

Denial and betrayal

of the soldiers guarding Him? (Luke 22:63-65)

Luke 22:63–65 “63 Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. 64 They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” 65 And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him.”

Beatings and mockings

He did not claim the right to be free of adversaries and those who were plotting against Him. What did he do instead? (Luke 20:20-26)

Luke 20:20–26 “20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.”

he answered wisely and justly putting them to silence

Read Luke 22:42-44.

Luke 22:42–44 “42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

Instead of claiming the right to suppress, to escape or to avoid emotional pain, what did He choose to do?

He submitted to His Father’s Will

What words describe Christ’s deep emotional pain?

Sweat drops of blood

He, who was without spot or blemish, untainted by sin, was willing to endure emotional pain and to die for the undeserving ones His Heavenly Father had given Him. (John 6:37,39; 10:29) That was the final work He had come to earth to do. (John 6:38)

What right did He refuse to claim in dealing with those who persecuted Him? (Luke 22:49-54)

Luke 22:49–54 “49 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” 54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance.”

The right to fight back, to defend Himself.

Read Mark 14:65; 15:15-19; Isaiah 52:14.

Mark 14:65 “65 And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows.”

Mark 15:15–19 “15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. 16 And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion. 17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18 And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him.”

Isaiah 52:14 “14 As many were astonished at you— his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—”

What forms of physical abuse and humiliation did Jesus suffer?

Spit on Him

Punched, beaten

Mocked

Scourging

Crown of Thorns

Beaten beyond recognition

Did He claim the right to be free from them?

How was the Son of God, the Perfect Lamb, mocked? (Matt. 27:28-31)

Matthew 27:28–31 “28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.”

They mocked him as King. Dressed him up, spit on him, beat him.

What other right did He renounce as the Son of God? (Matt. 26:53)

Matthew 26:53 “53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?”

For the right to send for 12 legions of angels to deliver him.

He gave up the right to defend Himself. What was His response to His accusers? (Is. 53:7; Matt. 27:12-14)

Isaiah 53:7 “7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”

Matthew 27:12–14 “12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.”

He remained silent

What right did He relinquish when Peter struck the high priest’s ear with his sword? (Luke 22:51)

Luke 22:51 “51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.”

He relinquished the right to fight back.

Although He was given all power and authority over heaven and earth, what right did He give up? (John 10:17,18)

John 10:17–18 “17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.””

The right to life

With whom was the King of Glory crucified? (Luke 23:32)

Luke 23:32 “32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.”

2 Criminals

How would that affect His reputation among the witnesses at His death?

They would think he was a criminal

How did He demonstrate mercy to His killers as He was dying? (Luke 23:34)

Luke 23:34 “34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”

He asked the Father to forgive them

How did He demonstrate concern for His mother from the cross? (John 19:25-27)

John 19:25–27 “25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”

He asked John to care for His mother

What right did He renounce by ministering to others at the time of His own agony?

To be ministered to, to be served, worshipped.

Read Matthew 27:39-44; Luke 23:35-37.

Matthew 27:39–44 “39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.”

Luke 23:35–37 “35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!””

When He was on the cross, He renounced the right to prove His deity (or to defend His reputation) in the face of mocking taunts.

What taunts were hurled at Him?

That he couldn’t save himself

Mocked his claims to be the Son of God

What did He refuse to do?

Revile or return evil for evil

Your sin was so heinous, that for you to be forgiven required the horrifying crucifixion of the perfect Lamb of God. Of all the rights He renounced, the most agonizing was the necessary emotional and spiritual separation from His Heavenly Father. They had shared a perfect union with one another from eternity past. The Father’s love was so great for you that it even pleased Him to crush the Innocent One, His Beloved Son, for your transgressions.

Isaiah 53:10 “10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.”

As Christ was experiencing not only this separation, but His Father’s wrath being poured out upon Him, what was His heart-rendering cry? (Matt. 27:46)

Matthew 27:46 “46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?””

Why have your forsaken me?

What does this statement mean?

This is the ONLY time in recorded scripture that Jesus does NOT refer to God as Father.

Jesus is quoting Psalm 22.

The Psalm of David is a cry for deliverance and salvation, one that seems to result in salvation and help. This has led some to believe that due to the context of Psalm 22, that God did not forsake Jesus but that it means something else.

However, there does appear to be a separation of sorts. However, there separation was not one of nature, essence, or substance. Jesus did not cease to be God, a part of the Trinity, or the Son. Their separation was one of fellowship and intimacy.

Scripture says that he BECAME sin for us (2 Cor 5:21). He who knew no sin had become sin for us. This required a separation from God, in fellowship, because the Father could not fellowship or know intimacy with sin.

So, it is my contention that this statement DOES mean that was a separation from Jesus and the Father, but it was not one of substance, nature, essence or even of relationship. He was still the Son of God…but their fellowship, their intimacy was for this period of time severed. FOR THAT IS THE COST OF SIN. Separation from fellowship and intimacy with God. Jesus had to endure that for our sake.

He created the tree that became the cross, the instrument of His own death. He created the iron from which the nails were forged that ripped through His flesh. The vines He nurtured with sun, soil and water were woven into the crown of thorns, which pierced His brow. Cruel men murdered their own Creator and mocked Him in death, as they had in life. He gave up His right to reputation in dying as a common criminal. “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”(Phil. 2:7 KJV) Christ gave up every right in order to humbly submit to His Father’s will. In so doing, He gave His all for His sheep, whom He loved. He was the perfect bond‐ servant of His Heavenly Father.

Christ had experienced the great cost of servanthood when He declared, “A disciple is n o t above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.” (Matt. 10:24 NASB)

Knowing the tremendous sacrificial cost involved, what does God personally call you to do? (1Pet.2:21)

1 Peter 2:21 “21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”

Follow His example

Oswald Chambers, in My Utmost for His Highest, says that the “central citadel of obstinacy” is, “I will not give up my right to myself...” He also says, “There is no question of your rights. The stamp of the saint is that he can waive his own rights and obey the LordJesus.”

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Conclusion

Big Idea: Christ is the ultimate example of surrendering His rights in submission to God.

Christ, the Example

Christ’s Ultimate Sacrifice

Right’s Jesus Laid Down

Jesus relinquished his right to…

Power and authority - Philippians 2:6-7

Be honored and respected - Matthew 13:57; John 7:5

A home, a place of rest and security - Luke 9:58

Majesty and beauty - Isaiah 53:2

Be shielded from facing temptation - Luke 4:13; Heb 4:15

Fleshly pleasures, power, worship, and the easy path - Matthew 4:1-11

A respectable reputation - Luke 7:34

The freedom to NOT address sins in others - Matthew 23:23-29

Revile those who reviled him, to return evil for evil, to be treated well, to defend himself - 1 Peter 2:22-23

Be served by others - John 13:12-17; Matthew 20:28

Not have to endure suffering in order to learn obedience - Heb 5:8

Not have to suffer - Philippians 2:5-9

To not be betrayed by one of this closest friends - Luke 22:47-49.

Be free of adversaries - Luke 20:20-26

Suppress, escape, or avoid emotional pain - Luke 22:42-44

Fight back, to defend Himself - Luke 22:49-54; Matthew 27:12-14; Isaiah 53:7.

Be free from physical abuse and humiliation - Mark 14:65; 15:15-19; Isaiah 52:14.

Call down the power of Heaven to prevent and deliver him from the suffering - Matthew 26:53.

Life - John 10:17-18.

Withhold forgiveness from his offenders - Luke 23:34.

Neglect his responsibility given his circumstances - John 19:25-27.

Prove His deity - Matthew 27:39-44; Luke 23:35-37.

Church, as we continue to commit to growing together to become more like Jesus for the glory of God, may we yield our “rights” and obey Christ.

Application

What truth about Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and example stood out to you most and why?

Which right that Jesus chose to relinquish stood out most to you and why?

Why is it significant that Jesus chose to relinquish his right to authority?

Because if HE, who had EVERY RIGHT to that authority, chose to lay it down for us, and He is the master, the Lord, the teacher, then how much more should we choose to lay down our “rights,” our perceived rights.

Why is it hard to relinquish our desire to be respected and honored?

Because we want to know that our lives have value and worth. One way we get that is when others respect and express appreciation and honor to us.

Our selfishness and pride make it hard.

What makes surrendering our “right” to our home so hard?

It is the place we feel safest, most secure.

It is the place we feel more comfortable and at ease.

It is the place we enjoy as a sanctuary and refuge.

Giving that up, relinquishing that right is hard.

Why do we like to cling to our sense of beauty and appearance? How do we lay it down for Him?

Again, we find a sense of value, affirmation, worth from that. We feel like it give us greater significance and meaning.

We use our beauty and appearance as a means to get ahead in the world, to obtain that which we desire, and to make a way for ourselves.

We place our identity, our value, and our worth in something higher than our appearance…we place it in God instead…we place it in who he says we are, who he declares us to be.

Why do we somethings think that we should be protected from all temptation? Why does God allow us to face temptation?

Wrong assumptions or wrong teaching.

In our human wisdom, we think that God, who is all powerful SHOULD protect us from all harm. We have come to think that love protects and prevents harm from coming to those whom we love. We fail to realize that sometimes, harm and hurt, trial and struggle are good, producing something in us that can only come by facing adversity.

God allows us to face temptation to TEST the strength and validity of our faith and resolve. He allows us to face temptation to drive us back to Himself. He uses temptation to strengthen our walk with Him and to strengthen our devotion to Him and our hatred of sin.

Why do we not have the right to demand respectful treatment from those we minister to? How ought we respond when we are treated less respectfully than we think we deserve or desire?

We do not have right, because we are not God. Man has been given a choice, a choice to love and obey God and man, or not.

We do not have the right because we are not promised that we will be respected by those we minister to.

We ought to respond humbly, graciously. We are not ultimately serving for their sake…but for God’s.

We should serve, and keep serving, anyway.

How should we respond when we are reviled and attacked?

Not revile in return

Love, forgive.

Serve. Show grace and kindness

If and when we must rebuke, to do so in a heart of humility and gentleness (But firmness)

Why do we struggle so hard to surrender our “right” to defend ourselves, to justify our actions, to exonerate our name?

We like to be thought well of.

We all hate the injustice of false accusations and false incriminations.

Too often, we find our sense of identity in how others view us, thus for them to view us poorly, we struggle with.

Why do we NOT have the right to demand fair and just treatment from others?

Because we are not God.

How do we train ourselves to respond humbly in the face of unfair and unjust treatment?

Walk in the Spirit

Stay close to Christ

Reflect often and deeply of the cross.

Remember how much we have been forgiven…

Remember the cost of our sin…

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