“But it’s my right!” That’s how I’ve felt these past few days, fuming over a medical office that refuses to release my records to resolve an insurance claim even after receiving the proper signed release and payment for their trouble. Each time I get wound up about the issue, I come to God, confessing my anger and asking Him to resolve the insurance matter as well as the more important matter of my heart. Humbly, I surrender my rights (again) and remind myself that in the scheme of things, the issue is insignificant in light of all that’s troubling in the world.
Soon God helped me realize that it was not the outstanding insurance payment that bothered me but rather, at the heart of the matter, I was angry that my rights were being unjustly trampled. It’s my right to have those records released! Maybe so, but did Christ come to this earth and surrender His rights so that His children would continue to live in bondage…to quarreling, pride, hostility, worldliness, or countless other sins? May it never be!
Christ, the eternal God and King willingly came to earth, surrendering His rightful place on the Throne of Heaven, His right to be honored and worshiped, and His right to not be subject to the cruelty and hatred of the world He created. Why? To grant those who surrender to Him the right to a home in Heaven, to eternally live in the Presence of God our Father who loves and cherishes us, and to never again be subject to the cruelty and hatred of this world. And yet, while God’s children will spend eternity free from the sin, pain and horror of this world – freedom we do not deserve –He will spend eternity bearing the scars of a world that refused to know, honor, and worship Him – scars He did not deserve for, “He…emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant…[and] humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2:4-8)
Perhaps this is why Jesus tells the crowds in Mark 8:34, “If any man would follow after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Living the Christian life is not easy. Daily (sometimes hourly!) I need to surrender to God my harmful attitudes, my sinful actions, my selfish plans, and even my legitimate rights. But the rewards far exceed that which we surrender for when we choose to live by the Spirit rather than the flesh, we gain “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Gal 5:20-22)
Instead of worshiped, Jesus was disgraced; instead of honor, Jesus was spat upon; instead of a throne, Jesus went to the Cross. If the Holy God of the universe was willing to deny Himself to make saints out of sinners, how much more should we, as sinners made saints, be willing to deny ourselves for a Holy God?
Lord, I want to be free of the sins that so easily entangle; praise you for your Word, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36) Lord, I surrender my rights; I want to be free!
Shadia Hrichi
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