What are our rights as Christians.

[Blood Bought 1953]

On 2/9/2020 at 9:25 PM, Kristin said:

I appreciate our rights under our Constitution. It is indeed rights afforded to all citizens. 

Do you think practicing sinners are saved?  

 

Absolutely.

[Blood Bought 1953]

9 hours ago, johnthebaptist said:

I suppose that if we love our neighbors as ourselves, we have the right that they should love us as themselves.

Makes sense.....but don’t hold your breath .....lol...

[Neighbor]

On 2/10/2020 at 1:11 PM, johnthebaptist said:

I suppose that if we love our neighbors as ourselves, we have the right that they should love us as themselves.

What "right" does a person have to demand reciprocation of their love for another person(s)? Seems to me God has excluded that as even a consideration, never mind a right.

From one of the four witnesses testifying of the gospel of Jesus; found within Matthew's  account of the sermon  by Jesus on the mount: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

 

 I see no reciprocation that is to be expected by the soldiers in Christ Jesus' army. I see an order to pray for enemies, not wait for enemies to be friends.  Just  pray for them all, regardless. It is a absolute requirement of perfection under God's command. There appears to be no rights involved, instead God's command is given rather succinctly. It is to be followed exactly, as every soldier is to follow His commander's orders. A soldier does not claim, "I've got my rights". Not more than once anyway.

[Neighbor]

On 2/9/2020 at 8:54 PM, Kristin said:

We as Americans have rights as citizens. Are our rights enumerated in our Constitution, or do we have more rights as citizens of heaven?

Well how does one make application  of the instruction from God given by Matthew? Does one demand their rights be acknowledged and adhered to, or does the soldier in Jesus' army  pick up even an oppressive load forced upon them and carry it an extra distance?

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’  But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.  Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you."

 Again from that sermon on the Mount as told by Matthew under inspiration  of God: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,"

Rights? Where do I see any rights being assigned me? I don't. I see endure that I may have greater time even with my enemies to tell of Jesus to get my enemy's attention and to also spare my neighbor if possible from the enemy's oppression by taking on more of the load myself freeing my neighbor from it. That way  both my enemy and my neighbor friend gets to hear and see the gospel of Jesus in word and in deed. Then is God  honored and revered, in the sight of all. That way all may see the awesome power that is God and that is to be feared and obeyed.

[Wesley L]

On 2/10/2020 at 2:54 AM, Kristin said:

We as Americans have rights as citizens. Are our rights enumerated in our Constitution, or do we have more rights as citizens of heaven?

I think once becoming a christian, that question becomes more and more redundant.

What right did we have so we could be alive? It is all God's grace.
We have no rights at all. Nothing was created by us. So we are rightfully owners of nothing. But because of God's grace, life was given to us, redemption was given to us through the blood of Jesus Christ.

As citizens of heaven we don't have rights, BUT we will live by God's promises of everlasting life. A place without sin, a place where we live with God. We will receive abundantly, even though we don't deserve any of it. Trust Him and all you need will be given to you according to His will.

[Kristin]

On 2/10/2020 at 1:55 AM, eileenhat said:

I do not see that the word 'rights' fits the Christian's paradigm.  It seems to be only relevant to human society, but not God's.

I see it more as if the soul evolves and earns crowns of glory from God while on earth.  We do not have much information on our duties on New Earth (mentioned in Rev. 21 and 22) other than to follow God's wishes for us.

 

Yes. The word seems arrogant. But crowns and me being special through Christ makes me less insecure anyway. 

[Coliseum]

On 2/11/2020 at 9:27 AM, Wesley L said:

I think once becoming a christian, that question becomes more and more redundant.

What right did we have so we could be alive? It is all God's grace.
We have no rights at all. Nothing was created by us. So we are rightfully owners of nothing. But because of God's grace, life was given to us, redemption was given to us through the blood of Jesus Christ.

As citizens of heaven we don't have rights, BUT we will live by God's promises of everlasting life. A place without sin, a place where we live with God. We will receive abundantly, even though we don't deserve any of it. Trust Him and all you need will be given to you according to His will.

Why does it sound strange to say his children have rights? Did Jesus withhold them? "But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— John 1::12

It is not conceited to open the hands of one's heart and receive it. If God wants to confer it upon those who are His, should we turn away? Does God not give us the right to be ambassadors, the right to suffer for his Name, the right to preach his Gospel? 

When you lived with your father, did he not give you the right to possess a key to the house you lived in? Did you not have the right to bear his name? These are not rights we earn; they are given---and in this case, given out of His love for us. Praise and thank Him for that!
 

[Yeshua153]

We have no rights. Job25v4-6

How then can man be righteous before God?
Or how can he be pure who is born of a woman?
 If even the moon does not shine,
And the stars are not pure in His sight,
 How much less man, who is a maggot,
And a son of man, who is a worm?”

Rom3v12

There is none who does good, no, not one.”

We all deserve hell, but for God's mercy on the few, by His Grace. (unmerited favour)

[Wesley L]

1 hour ago, Coliseum said:

Why does it sound strange to say his children have rights? Did Jesus withhold them? "But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—John 1:12

It is not conceited to open the hands of one's heart and receive it. If God wants to confer it upon those who are His, should we turn away? Does God not give us the right to be ambassadors, the right to suffer for his Name, the right to preach his Gospel? 

When you lived with your father, did he not give you the right to possess a key to the house you lived in? Did you not have the right to bear his name? These are not rights we earn; they are given---and in this case, given out of His love for us. Praise and thank Him for that!
 

You are right. 

My point was actually "perspective".
As a Christian we must be beware not to look at things through our own perspective too much. My choice, my rights, I deserve... Our bodies belongs to Christ. "Our rights" if we may have them, belongs to Christ. We have faith in God to give us in abundance. In abundance, not things that we ourselves think we need, but what God knows that we need.

In traffic, when we drive on a priority road, we will think our right is that others lend us priority.
When that does happen, it seems normal.
When that doesn't happen, we ought to think somebody has taken away our rights. (perspective)
But if our focus is on grace. When someone gives us priority, we are grateful.

Jesus did not need to die on the cross for our sins. Because it was not in our right for Him to do so. It was ALL His grace, His choice.

Technically He gave us the right to an everlasting life. Our salvation, our right to live in heaven. Personally I'd prefer to look through the perspective of God, His grace and His promises. Hope this is more clear than my earlier post.