We have basic rights—at least that's the assumption many of us operate under as human beings. We get very angry when those basic rights are compromised. Jesus, however, is more concerned that we be redemptively right than he is with our insisting that our rights are honored in every situation here on earth. His goal is to redeem others through us, not to get even with them. Jesus' orientation toward personal rights should not surprise us. He gave up all of his rights and left heaven to redeem us! (Phil. 2:5-11). On the other hand, Jesus staunchly defended the rights of others when those in charge tried to take those rights away from them. Why? Jesus' primary concern was to redeem and bless all people. He now wants us to do the same. The goal of our behavior is to be redemptive to others whether it is our rights or theirs that have been violated!