LOVE ABOVE RIGHTS

LOVE ABOVE RIGHTS

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 8:9-13

Key Verse: “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.” — 1 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 10:23-24; Romans 14:13-21; Galatians 5:13; Philippians 2:3-5; Romans 15:1-2; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Description: Christian love teaches us that not every right must be exercised. Spiritual maturity is demonstrated when we are willing to surrender legitimate privileges for the sake of another person's faith, growth, and wellbeing.

INTRODUCTION

Every believer has certain freedoms and legitimate rights in Christ. However, the possession of a right does not necessarily mean that exercising that right is always wise. In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul teaches that Christian liberty must be governed by love. A believer may be free to do something, yet voluntarily choose not to do it because of its potential effect on another person.

The Corinthians had knowledge concerning idols, but some believers had not reached the same level of understanding. Paul therefore warned those who were stronger in faith not to use their freedom in a way that would wound the conscience of weaker believers. For Paul, winning an argument was less important than preserving a person's spiritual wellbeing.

This principle challenges the self-centred nature of our age. Love sometimes says, “I have the right, but I will surrender that right for your sake.” Jesus Himself demonstrated this principle by laying aside His privileges and taking the form of a servant. When love is greater than our rights, relationships are protected, the Church is strengthened, and Christ is glorified.

1. UNDERSTAND THAT CHRISTIAN RIGHTS HAVE LIMITS

Our freedom must always remain under the authority of Christ.

a) Not Everything Is Profitable (1 Corinthians 10:23)
Something may be permissible but still unhelpful spiritually.

b) Freedom Must Remain Under Control (1 Corinthians 6:12)
Christian liberty should never become an excuse for being controlled by desires.

c) Rights Must Submit To God's Glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)
The ultimate question is whether our actions honour God.

d) Consider The Consequences Of Your Choices (Proverbs 14:12)
A choice may appear right personally but produce harmful consequences.

Biblical Example: Paul understood his rights as an apostle but willingly surrendered some of them for the sake of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:12, 15).

2. RECOGNISE THE VALUE OF A WEAKER BELIEVER

God values every believer, regardless of spiritual maturity.

a) Do Not Despise The Weak (Romans 14:1-4)
Spiritual immaturity should call forth patience rather than contempt.

b) Strengthen The Weak (Romans 15:1)
Those who are stronger have a responsibility to support those who are struggling.

c) Protect Their Conscience (1 Corinthians 8:12)
Careless exercise of freedom can wound another believer spiritually.

d) Help Them Grow (Ephesians 4:15)
The goal is not to keep weaker believers weak but to help them mature in Christ.

Biblical Example: Jesus welcomed and patiently taught His disciples even when they repeatedly misunderstood spiritual truths (Mark 9:33-37).

3. DO NOT LET YOUR RIGHTS BECOME A STUMBLING BLOCK

Our choices can influence others.

a) Take Heed (1 Corinthians 8:9)
Paul's warning calls for deliberate awareness of how our freedom affects others.

b) Avoid Causing Another To Fall (Romans 14:13)
Christian liberty must never deliberately encourage another person to sin.

c) Protect Spiritual Consciences (1 Corinthians 8:10-12)
A mature believer must consider the possible spiritual consequences of his actions.

d) Value People More Than Preferences (1 Corinthians 8:13)
Paul was willing to abstain rather than cause another believer to stumble.

Biblical Example: Paul declared that if food would make his brother stumble, he would choose not to eat it (1 Corinthians 8:13).

4. LET LOVE BE GREATER THAN PERSONAL RIGHTS

Love willingly sacrifices.

a) Love Does Not Insist On Its Own Way (1 Corinthians 13:5)
Love is willing to surrender personal preferences when necessary.

b) Serve One Another In Love (Galatians 5:13)
Christian freedom should produce service rather than selfishness.

c) Consider Others (Philippians 2:3-4)
Love looks beyond personal interests to the needs of others.

d) Bear With The Weak (Romans 15:1)
Spiritual strength carries responsibility towards those who are weaker.

Biblical Example: Jesus laid aside His heavenly privileges and humbled Himself for our salvation (Philippians 2:5-8).

5. CHOOSE SACRIFICE OVER SELF-INDULGENCE

There are times when love requires personal sacrifice.

a) Deny Yourself (Luke 9:23)
Following Christ requires the willingness to surrender personal desires.

b) Carry Your Cross (Luke 9:23)
Christian discipleship involves sacrifice and self-denial.

c) Put Others First (Romans 12:10)
Honouring others requires us to move beyond self-centred living.

d) Give For The Good Of Others (1 John 3:16-18)
Christ's sacrifice provides the supreme model of sacrificial love.

Biblical Example: The Good Samaritan sacrificed his time, resources, and convenience to help a wounded stranger (Luke 10:30-37).

6. PRIORITISE SPIRITUAL WELLBEING OVER WINNING ARGUMENTS

Not every disagreement needs to become a battle.

a) Pursue Peace (Romans 14:19)
Peace and edification should be greater priorities than proving ourselves right.

b) Avoid Foolish Arguments (2 Timothy 2:23)
Some controversies produce more division than spiritual benefit.

c) Speak With Grace (Colossians 4:6)
Truth should be communicated with wisdom and graciousness.

d) Seek Restoration (Galatians 6:1)
When someone falls, the goal should be restoration rather than humiliation.

Biblical Example: The Jerusalem Council addressed a major disagreement without destroying the unity of the early Church (Acts 15:1-29).

7. FOLLOW CHRIST'S EXAMPLE OF SELFLESSNESS

Jesus is our ultimate model.

a) He Came To Serve (Mark 10:45)
Christ demonstrated that greatness is expressed through service.

b) He Humbled Himself (Philippians 2:8)
He willingly accepted the path of sacrifice.

c) He Put Our Salvation First (John 10:11)
Christ laid down His life for His sheep.

d) He Calls Us To Follow His Example (John 13:14-15)
Believers are called to reproduce His servant-hearted character.

Biblical Example: Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, demonstrating that love gladly serves others (John 13:3-15).

8. MAKE LOVE THE STANDARD FOR CHRISTIAN LIBERTY

The question should always be: “Will this glorify God and benefit others?”

a) Do Everything In Love (1 Corinthians 16:14)
Love should govern every aspect of Christian conduct.

b) Seek The Good Of Others (1 Corinthians 10:24)
Our choices should consider the wellbeing of those around us.

c) Build Rather Than Destroy (Romans 15:2)
Christian liberty should contribute to spiritual growth.

d) Let Christ Be Seen In You (Galatians 2:20)
When Christ controls our lives, love becomes the guiding principle of our decisions.

Biblical Example: Paul became “all things to all men” for the sake of the Gospel, demonstrating extraordinary flexibility without compromising his faith (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

CONCLUSION

Love above rights does not mean that Christians have no rights or that truth should be compromised. Rather, it means that our rights are submitted to a higher principle—the love of Christ. There are times when exercising a legitimate right may be permissible, yet refusing to exercise it may be the more Christlike choice.

Let us therefore become believers who are more concerned about building people than defending preferences. May we have the maturity to say, “I can, but I will not if doing so will harm another person's faith.” When love becomes greater than our rights, our freedom becomes a tool for ministry, our relationships become stronger, and our lives become a clearer reflection of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, give me the grace to value love above my personal rights and preferences, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, deliver me from selfishness and the desire to insist on having my own way, in Jesus name.

3. Father, give me wisdom to recognise when my freedom may negatively affect another believer, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, help me to be patient and compassionate towards those who are weaker in faith, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me grace to surrender legitimate rights whenever necessary for the spiritual wellbeing of others, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, make me an instrument of peace, unity, restoration, and spiritual growth in Your Church, in Jesus name.

7. Father, help me to follow the example of Christ in humility, sacrifice, and selfless service, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, deliver me from unnecessary arguments and give me wisdom to pursue what produces peace and edification, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my Christian liberty never become a stumbling block to anyone, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let Your love govern my words, decisions, relationships, and actions, so that my life will glorify You, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall receive grace to choose love over selfish ambition and personal preference.

2. You shall not use your liberty in a way that destroys another person's faith.

3. The Lord shall give you sensitivity to recognise the needs and weaknesses of those around you.

4. You shall possess the humility to surrender your rights when love requires sacrifice.

5. Your relationships shall be strengthened by patience, understanding, forgiveness, and genuine love.

6. You shall become a builder of people and an instrument of spiritual restoration.

7. The Lord shall make you a promoter of peace and unity in your family, church, and community.

8. Your Christian freedom shall become a platform for service and Gospel advancement.

9. Christlike love shall govern your decisions, and your life shall become an example to others.

10. Your life shall demonstrate that love is greater than personal rights, and through you, many shall be strengthened in their faith.