“The only right a Christian has is the right to give up his rights.”
Oswald Chambers
My Utmost for His Highest
I incorrectly attributed this quote to Dietrich Bonhoeffer Wednesday morning (sorry about that guys) but it led to some interesting conversation.
No one likes to give up their rights, or feel like their rights are being trampled.
But it seems that that’s what followers in the way of Jesus are called to do.
I love the story Shane Claiborne tells about when a young friend of his told him he was being bullied at school.
Shane told him, “That means you get to show him how friends treat each other. He must not know what love and friendship feels like, so you get to teach him.”
“Aww man,” the boy replied, “Love sure is hard.”
Shane adds, “The only thing harder than hatred is love. The only thing harder than war is peace. The only thing that takes more work, tears and sweat than division is reconciliation. But what more beautiful things could we devote our lives to?”
The subversive upside down kingdom. Turning the tables on the kingdoms of men.
Giving up our rights for the rights of others.
Amazing isn’t it?!
