Giving Up Your Rights
Let us, therefore, make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
Romans 14:19-21
In Samoa, as part of their transition to manhood, boys receive a tattoo signaling their commitment to their people and their chief. As a symbol of national loyalty, it’s a cultural norm that is exceedingly important. Indeed, the word tattoo originates from the Samoan word “tatau” which means “a must.”
Naturally, then, these inked marks covered the arms and legs of the Samoan men’s rugby team that went to Japan to play in the 2019 World Cup.
The problem is that, in Japan, tattoos are not considered honorable, but dishonorable. In fact, tattoos are often associated with organized crime.
You might have assumed that the Samoans would have said, “We have our rights. If you don’t like our tattoos, get over it.”
Yet, in a generous act of restraint, the Samoans recognized how they might be offending their hosts and wore skin-colored sleeves on their arms and legs that covered the designs.
Samoan team manager Va’elua Aloi Alesana explained. “We’re respectful of and mindful to the Japanese way. We are in Japan and have to embrace their culture. Our players have no problem covering their tattoos for our hosts.”
What class! In an age that emphasizes self-expression, it’s remarkable to encounter self-limitation.
Freedom or Love?
The Apostle Paul referenced this concept in his letter to the Romans. In that church, there were some who believed they were free to eat anything. Others felt they should only eat vegetables since the meat might have been dedicated to idols by the supplier.
While Paul personally saw no problem with eating such meat, he called the meat-eating believers to a higher standard than that of freedom. It was the standard of love.
He said, in effect, that love sometimes requires us to give up our rights for the sake of others. Rather than demanding our freedom, we relinquish it for a higher good.
Love sometimes requires us to give up our rights for the sake of others. Rather than demanding our freedom, we relinquish it for a higher good.
Not with fists clenched. Not with eyes rolled. Not with a heavy sigh. Not with an attitude of superiority. But with a gracious, humble determination to put the relationship before your rights.
That’s what love does. That’s how love acts. That’s where love wins.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to recognize that there’s a higher value than expressing my freedom and enjoying my rights. Help me, instead to make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.
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