Christian Bill of Rights

[Fez]

If you are unsure, or seeking Jesus, or need a reminder, here is Your Christian Bill of Rights as written by God!

 

Perhaps if you are struggling to understand what accepting Jesus means, this will help.

 

Christian Bill of Rights

The Christian Bill of Rights
by Steve Camp

1. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we have only one right: and that is to give up all rights to ourselves (Phil. 2:1-5).

2. We have the right to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him (Mt. 16:24-26).

3. We have the right to esteem others more highly than ourselves; and love our neighbor as ourselves (Mt. 22:39, Phil. 2:1-5).

4. We have the right to fulfill the law of Christ in bearing one another's burdens of sin (Gal. 6:2).

5. We have the right to be wronged and to maintain a faithful testimony (1 Cor. 6:7).

 

6. We have the right to live in unreciprocated self-sacrificial love (Eph. 5:1-2).

7. We have the right to forgive others the smaller debt, as God in Christ has forgiven us the larger debt (Eph. 4:32).

8.We have the right to suffer for the gospel and to take the blows for the One who took the blows for us (1 Pt. 2:23).

9. We have the right to be "subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men" (Titus 3:1-2).

10. We have the right to not be political agitators trading the truth of His Word to play politics with men's souls; thinking that true spiritual change occurs through legislation rather than the transforming power of the gospel of grace.

"Accept His worthiness for my unworthiness, His sinlessness for my transgressions, His purity for my uncleanness, His sincerity for my guile, His truth for my deceits, His meekness for my pride, His constancy for my backslidings, His love for my enmity, His fullness for my emptiness, His faithfulness for my treachery, His obedience for my lawlessness, His glory for my shame, His devotedness for my waywardness, His holy life for my unchaste ways, His righteousness for my dead works, His death for my life!"
-A Puritan Prayer-

11. We have the right to turn the other cheek (Mt. 5:39).

12. We have the right to be stripped of all earthly things (Mt. 5:40-42).

13. We have the right to not repay evil for evil and to be at peace with all men as much as it depends on you (Roms. 12:17-18).

14. We have the right to love our enemies, do good to them that hate us, bless those who curse us and pray for those that despitefully use us (Mt. 5:44-45).

15. We have the right to pursue holiness-not personal happiness (1 Pt. 1:13-16).

16. We have the right not to be ashamed of the gospel (2 Tim. 1:6-14).

17. We have the right not to harbor revenge, anger, bitterness, clamoring, wrath, malice and slander (Eph. 4:31).

18. We have the right not to quench or grieve the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 4:30, 1 Thess. 5:19).

19. We have the right to repent of and not cherish our sins (Psalm 66:18).

20. We have the right to guard the trust; to contend for the once for all delivered to the saints faith (1 Tim. 6:20, Jude 3).

21. We have the right to train our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:1-3).

22. We have the right to reflect God's covenantal relationship with us by honoring our vows in the covenant of marriage (Mt. 19:6).

23. We have the right to worship Christ Jesus as God of very God; Creator; Redeemer; Sovereign Lord and Ruler of all (Col. 1:15-19, Heb. 1:8, Phil. 2:5-11).

24. We have the right to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy, acceptable pleasing unto God (Roms. 12:1).

25. We have the right to live in the expectancy and hope of the Lord's return by which we purify ourselves (1 John 3:3).

26. We have the right to march daily on our knees in prayer; praying for our leaders in government; our church leaders; our fellow believers; our families; and the lost (Lk 18:1).

27. We have the right to praise and glorify God according to how He has revealed Himself through the pages of His Word (Col. 3:16-17).

28. We have the right to the accountability of the local church; to obey our leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over our souls, as those who will give an account (Heb. 13:17).

29. We have the right to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations (Mt. 28:18-20).

30. We have the right to have no rights apart from Christ Himself; "for whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it" (Mt. 16:25, John 15:5).

 

[OldSchool2]

There has to be a simpler way to say all of the above, e.g., we have no rights to any desires of our own apart from Christ.

[Fez]

There has to be a simpler way to say all of the above, e.g., we have no rights to any desires of our own apart from Christ.

Yes but sometimes we need it spelled out, especially if we are just starting on our walk.

[coheir]

1and 2 never makes since to me and I asked how one does this no one seems have answer.

I may not be understanding what those two mean.

when one gives all to God. is free will also given up. some say give every thing to God pray for every thing before you do it.

Not everything in one life is given up is it ( does child ride bus today or do I drive him to school) would one pray for that.

blue dress or striped dress is this a free will decision or time to pray I just can not see how its done.

Sorry did not mean to mess up your thread.

[Guest]

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30

 

 

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63

[Willa]

Coheir, we don't give up our minds in the sense that we always have the right to question whether something is of God. But when we know in our hearts that it is of God and we don't do it we are in rebellion. God had told Saul to destroy Amalek and everything in the city, but Saul did what was right in his own eyes and did not obey the voice of God, even lied to Samuel about it and had set up a monument to himself. His excuse was that he feared and obeyed the people rather than God. People pleasing. Read 1 Sam 15 again.

Phil 2:1-5 explains #1 in more detail. Let nothing be done out of selfishness--ambition or conceit. Be lowly in mind and be considerate of others. The illustration that comes to mind is a church board meeting in which the person representing the youth wanted funds from the Missions board to be transferred to her department. Missions should have gladly shared, giving up their own rights, but for one thing. The money was being held in trust because it came directly from people giving to specific missionaries and did not belong to the missions board or to the local church.

Matt 16: 24-26 explain # 2. If a person desires to save the life of the old man, clinging to his fleshly priorities over those of the Spirit, he will die. We have to let go of the old man, dieing to him daily and considering him to have died with Christ on the cross, to be transformed into the image of Christ and allow the life of Christ to be seen in us.

Now my objection and question: Number 26 has to do with being submissive to and obeying local pastors. Having come out of the shepherding movement where this scripture was abused, I have to qualify this. As long as the pastor is speaking in accordance with God's Word and being a godly example , we should obey him, support him and give him the respect due his office. But if he is abusing this verse we need to step back and find another church where the pastor can be trusted. Scripture also says 1Peter 5:2-3: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not from compulsion but willingly, NOT FROM DISHONEST GAIN, but eagerly; NOT AS BEING LORDS OVER THOSE ENTRUSED TO YOU, but BEING EXAMPLES TO THE FLOCK. 5:5b yes, all of you be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility. NKJV This is the pastor that can be trusted. We need to take a step back and look elsewhere if a pastor is abusing his office or presenting false teaching and continues to do so after being admonished.

[coheir]

Coheir, we don't give up our minds in the sense that we always have the right to question whether something is of God. But when we know in our hearts that it is of God and we don't do it we are in rebellion. God had told Saul to destroy Amalek and everything in the city, but Saul did what was right in his own eyes and did not obey the voice of God, even lied to Samuel about it and had set up a monument to himself. His excuse was that he feared and obeyed the people rather than God. People pleasing. Read 1 Sam 15 again.

Phil 2:1-5 explains #1 in more detail. Let nothing be done out of selfishness--ambition or conceit. Be lowly in mind and be considerate of others. The illustration that comes to mind is a church board meeting in which the person representing the youth wanted funds from the Missions board to be transferred to her department. Missions should have gladly shared, giving up their own rights, but for one thing. The money was being held in trust because it came directly from people giving to specific missionaries and did not belong to the missions board or to the local church.

Matt 16: 24-26 explain # 2. If a person desires to save the life of the old man, clinging to his fleshly priorities over those of the Spirit, he will die. We have to let go of the old man, dieing to him daily and considering him to have died with Christ on the cross, to be transformed into the image of Christ and allow the life of Christ to be seen in us.

Now my objection and question: Number 26 has to do with being submissive to and obeying local pastors. Having come out of the shepherding movement where this scripture was abused, I have to qualify this. As long as the pastor is speaking in accordance with God's Word and being a godly example , we should obey him, support him and give him the respect due his office. But if he is abusing this verse we need to step back and find another church where the pastor can be trusted. Scripture also says 1Peter 5:2-3: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not from compulsion but willingly, NOT FROM DISHONEST GAIN, but eagerly; NOT AS BEING LORDS OVER THOSE ENTRUSED TO YOU, but BEING EXAMPLES TO THE FLOCK. 5:5b yes, all of you be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility. NKJV This is the pastor that can be trusted. We need to take a step back and look elsewhere if a pastor is abusing his office or presenting false teaching and continues to do so after being admonished.

Thank you Willamina for responding to my confusion, I am trying to get to there and need guidance in this area. I will study all these verses you list and hopefully come to a better understanding. Faith I have understanding is harder for me.

[other one]

Keep in mind that the Amalekites were genetically messed up with Nephilim genes.......   even their animals were to be killed.

[coheir]

Quote [Coheir, we don't give up our minds in the sense that we always have the right to question whether something is of God. But when we know in our hearts that it is of God and we don't do it we are in rebellion. God had told Saul to destroy Amalek and everything in the city, but Saul did what was right in his own eyes and did not obey the voice of God, even lied to Samuel about it and had set up a monument to himself. His excuse was that he feared and obeyed the people rather than God. People pleasing. Read 1 Sam 15 again.

Phil 2:1-5 explains #1 in more detail. Let nothing be done out of selfishness--ambition or conceit. Be lowly in mind and be considerate of others. The illustration that comes to mind is a church board meeting in which the person representing the youth wanted funds from the Missions board to be transferred to her department. Missions should have gladly shared, giving up their own rights, but for one thing. The money was being held in trust because it came directly from people giving to specific missionaries and did not belong to the missions board or to the local church.] Quote

 

Willamina, I had read 1 Sam in the past more than once. I did reread it and thought about it. I hope I  have the right understanding from it.

First I know God never sent Israel to destroy another that followed him, therefore the Amakekites did not follow God. Second one must follow God 100% not 98% of the time. Also do 100% of what God puts on ones heart or mind not 98% of it.Any questions Pray.

 

Now Phi 2:1-5 I also reread and thought about it. I have not considered myself selfish-Ambitious-or Conceited. I may have been and

convienced myself I was not being one of those, I will have to look deeper into that. As for lowly in mind-considerate of others I may have

failed in this, I have always judged myself and others by what is right thing to do. I have been in many situations where I made others

angry. I do not do favoritism which has angered quite a few in my life, I grew up seeing ( not receiving ) it in my immediate family. I do not cut corners to finish things quickly so that has angered a few also. More self examination needed here I suppose.

Quote [Matt 16: 24-26 explain # 2. If a person desires to save the life of the old man, clinging to his fleshly priorities over those of the Spirit, he will die. We have to let go of the old man, dieing to him daily and considering him to have died with Christ on the cross, to be transformed into the image of Christ and allow the life of Christ to be seen in us.] Quote

 

This one smacks me it the face I stumble and fall at times; I do good a while then fall; I realize I am no good without following God and I condemn and curse myself for my failing fairly regular. I beg for forgiveness/help and try again.

Quote[Now my objection and question: Number 26 has to do with being submissive to and obeying local pastors. Having come out of the shepherding movement where this scripture was abused, I have to qualify this. As long as the pastor is speaking in accordance with God's Word and being a godly example , we should obey him, support him and give him the respect due his office. But if he is abusing this verse we need to step back and find another church where the pastor can be trusted. Scripture also says 1Peter 5:2-3: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not from compulsion but willingly, NOT FROM DISHONEST GAIN, but eagerly; NOT AS BEING LORDS OVER THOSE ENTRUSED TO YOU, but BEING EXAMPLES TO THE FLOCK. 5:5b yes, all of you be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility. NKJV This is the pastor that can be trusted. We need to take a step back and look elsewhere if a pastor is abusing his office or presenting false teaching and continues to do so after being admonished.]Quote

 

This I agree with you.

Being humble is one of the things I never new existed til after I left home. By that I mean I do not remember it in school and never saw it at home. As an adult I learned of it but did not try to apply it to my life; now an old man trying to apply it.

I want to thank you, you have given so much to consider and apply, I best try harder. mGby

[Willa]

Coheir. The scriptures I presented were the ones given in the Christian Bill of Rights. Nothing was personal but was given in explanation of the "Right to". any others were to further explain what I thought it meant.

Don't kick yourself when you fail. Just agree with God, confess it trusting that Christ already provided your forgiveness at the cross, and move on. God told me I had no right to kick myself or get down on myself. That is agreeing with satan's accusations, for one thing. We should not even bring up something God has already forgiven unless we still have to make peace with someone we have offended. Bury it with the old man. Wash our feet and move on. Otherwise we will hinder the Holy Spirit from doing through us the good works God created for this day. God told me I am no use to my husband and my kids while I am ticked with myself and beating myself up for a failure. Trying harder doesn't help me either if it puts my eyes on self and not on the Lord. I need to be listìning to God, thinking of Him and praising Him for Him to direct my thoughts to the next thing He wants me to do. All is needed is that we ABIDE in Him. That is dwelling in Him and living in Him. John 15:3-5. We are cleansed already by the word. Now we simply abide in His Presence. That is a joy, not an effort. It is a rest of rejoicing in His Presence.

Me thinks you may try too hard. We cease from our own effort when we allow Christ to do it in us and through us. Now we just abide in His love.v.9

Blessings.

Willa