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Civil rights, animal rights, gay rights, prisoners' rights, the right of a woman to choose ... our modern day society has become far too preoccupied with an emphasis on individual rights. With no corresponding emphasis on assuming responsibilities marriages fail, the country faces staggering economic problems, social orders are disintegrating and human life is being sacrificed on alters of convenience. 

We do have rights. All of us! However, there is the other side to the equation about which we hear very little. That is the corresponding concern about responsibility. Like the old song, "Love and Marriage" says, "You can't have one without the other." Every "right" has a corresponding "responsibility." 

In the pursuit of "my rights," we face some awesome concerns in our world today. When any individual or group center solely on their "rights" without any regard for the whole picture ... how it will affect others ... we run afoul of the system our Creator put in place. Such reasoning is 180 degrees opposite God's approach.

What are "rights?" Who has the authority to determine what is and is not right? Based upon what we see and hear, man, left to himself and the influences of secular humanism, makes his or her decisions based upon standards far below those imposed by God. God says, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways ... and ... as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (IS.55:8-9). 

THE CHURCH IMPACTED 

Regrettably, this concern for "rights" has infected much of current Christianity and the church. There is much more preoccupation with what God and the church must do for us than about what we should and are expected to do for Him and the church. Again and again we hear those expressing their feelings that the church must meet their needs. The implication, based upon their attitude is ... this is their "right." This attitude in the light of scripture, admonishes us to do ALL in a way that reflects the glory [the moral excellence] of God (I Cor. 10:31). Further, whatever may be your task, do it heartily as something done for the Lord and not for men (Col. 3:23). 

RELEVANT?

There are "circles" where you will hear it said that the church of today is not "relevant" to life in these times. Certainly I would agree that the Gospel sounds and appears out of step with life as it appears ... but, nothing I read in the Scriptures ever suggested that Christ intended to change His message to conform with the designs and desires of men. Instead, He came to change the lives of men and women to conform to Kingdom of God requirements. HE NEVER CHANGED HIS MESSAGE TO PLEASE PEOPLE. HE PRESENTED THE KINGDOM PRINCIPLES AS THEY ARE WITHOUT COMPROMISE OR APOLOGY. 

He had the audacity to tell His listeners and readers that they would receive the best in life when they do what He tells them to do (Luke 11:28). Imagine, someone telling us that He is the ONLY way to Life and God. (John 14:6) Imagine, someone telling us that failure to follow His instructions would lead to serious consequences. His instructions are very clear (His Parables). What we must do to receive the best in this and our future life is very well stated and laid out. And what is the word for what we are to do? "Responsibilities!" In the Word of God every right has a responsibility. 

RIGHTS? YOU BET

We have a right to all of God's promises, which come to us by the exercising of our faith. Our responsibility is to hear His Words faithfully which produces that faith (ROM. 10:17). We have a right to everlasting life. It is our responsibility to believe and grow in faith and walk in a manner pleasing to Him (Col. 1:9-11). We have a right to have our needs met. However, it is our responsibility to put God's interests first (MATT. 6:33) and ask in faith (MATT. 7:7 / I JOHN 5:13-14). We have a right to "peace." But the way to peace is very well articulated ... it is in and through faith in Him and through prayer and thanksgiving (JOHN 14:27 / PHIL. 4:6-7). We have a right to live victorious lives, but such victory comes through active and absolute faith in Him (JOHN 16:33 / ROM. 8:37). These are a few of our "rights." And, Jesus never said anything that gave us an "out" from the requirement of fulfilling our responsibility in each area of life. 

WHAT ABOUT GOD?

In the midst of all this dialogue about rights, there is one more question, which should be addressed. Does God have any rights? We believe He created our world. He is the giver of all good and perfect gifts (James 1:17). He has provided the ultimate sacrifice to pay for our sins (JOHN 1:29/I COR. 15:3 / GAL. 1:4) and thus delivering us from an eternity apart from God. Surely He has the right to expect love and obedience from His creations. 

A REASONABLE REQUEST? 

His Son, Jesus, walked on this earth in a manner totally pleasing to His Father, doing good and combating the works of the devil. And, God was always with Him. We are told that we can emulate Him by doing just what He did. And what was that? He said that the One who sent Him (our heavenly Father) was always with Him and never left Him alone ... For He said, "I ALWAYS DO WHAT PLEASES HIM!" (JOHN 8:29) 

We have the right to obey God and go to heaven. Or, we have the right to go our own way and go the other way. God has the right to expect our love and obedience. Or, God has the right to reward our disobedience with a room below. Either way, the choice is ours to make!