1 Corinthians 6:12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
In a world that claims we have the rights to do this or we have this right because we are x, we see a lot of people excusing bad behavior and sinful ways. “I have a right to love whoever I want” and “I am free to be who God made me to be and if that means I change my gender, then that is my right.”
But Paul tells us that I have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial. Not everything we think we have a right to do is good for us or is good for those it may affect. Just because we have a right to do these things it doesn’t mean we should do them. I have a right to live a life free of judgment and condemnation. But we know in this world we will be judged, and our sins will condemn us.
The rights we have been granted are gifts from God. As such, we should be thankful for what we have, and should not demand more. There are consequences for our actions and we should live life knowing this. We should strive to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God, THAT is our right.
Yes, we are free from the Levitical laws and are saved by the blood of Christ. But are we living like it or are we letting those things still master us and hold us back? Are we still living like we are chained to the old restrictions of the Law? Or are we living for Him? Trusting Him to guide us to what we SHOULD be doing? Guiding our footsteps in a life that is wholly pleasing to Him.
While something may be permissible, while we might think we have a right to do it, it does not make it beneficial for our spiritual growth. Everything we do should be viewed through the lens of God’s eyes – will this help us to live a life for Him and grow our faith as we serve? Today ask yourself that question as you go about your daily routines. You’ll be surprised at just how much liberty we take in demanding our own rights in a world gone wrong.
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