Samuel Adams wrote on the topic of the rights of Colonists in 1772. He said that individual rights, "may be best understood by reading and carefully studying the institutes of the great Law Giver and Head of the Christian Church, which are to be found clearly written and promulgated in the New Testament."
Sometimes we need to be reminded of our rights.
We have the right to have an open, intimate, and growing relationship with God. This basic right is not based on our merit or value, it is based on and empowered by the merit and value of the sacrifice of Christ. The Christ event is the core of our Christian rights.
We have the right to forgive people. The mercy we receive from God is to be distributed to others. Sometimes we think we have the right to hold a grudge - we don't.
We have the right to full surrender. Everything we have we are stewards of as God's family. Sometimes we think we have the right to selfishness - we don't.
We have the right to persecution. Suffering for Christ is part of the call and example that has been given to us. Sometimes we think we have the right to comfort - we don't.
We have the right to serve. Giving of moments, muscle, and money is a reality of Christ-like living that bears the fruit of God's kingdom. Sometimes we think we have the right to be served - we don't.
We have the right to hold our tongue. Words damage when delivered from a skewed motive or a platform of anger. We think we have the right to "free speech" - we don't.
We have the right to live holy lives. The behavior and actions of a Christ-follower are to be behaviors and actions through which the Holy Spirit can point to the Father as our empowerment. We think we have the right to do what we want - we don't.
We have the right to be dependent. We need God for everything! Our hunger for God should only be surpassed by our worship of God. Worship of God produces a greater hunger for him. We understand the work of God to the degree that we are honest about our need for God. We think we have the right to be self-sufficient - we don't.
We have the right to follow. Life is not about impacting others it's about being impacted by God so he can impact others through us. We think we have the right to lead - we don't.
Today I will exercise my rights as a Christ-follower.
Thinking,
Pastor Dave
Sometimes we need to be reminded of our rights.
We have the right to have an open, intimate, and growing relationship with God. This basic right is not based on our merit or value, it is based on and empowered by the merit and value of the sacrifice of Christ. The Christ event is the core of our Christian rights.
We have the right to forgive people. The mercy we receive from God is to be distributed to others. Sometimes we think we have the right to hold a grudge - we don't.
We have the right to full surrender. Everything we have we are stewards of as God's family. Sometimes we think we have the right to selfishness - we don't.
We have the right to persecution. Suffering for Christ is part of the call and example that has been given to us. Sometimes we think we have the right to comfort - we don't.
We have the right to serve. Giving of moments, muscle, and money is a reality of Christ-like living that bears the fruit of God's kingdom. Sometimes we think we have the right to be served - we don't.
We have the right to hold our tongue. Words damage when delivered from a skewed motive or a platform of anger. We think we have the right to "free speech" - we don't.
We have the right to live holy lives. The behavior and actions of a Christ-follower are to be behaviors and actions through which the Holy Spirit can point to the Father as our empowerment. We think we have the right to do what we want - we don't.
We have the right to be dependent. We need God for everything! Our hunger for God should only be surpassed by our worship of God. Worship of God produces a greater hunger for him. We understand the work of God to the degree that we are honest about our need for God. We think we have the right to be self-sufficient - we don't.
We have the right to follow. Life is not about impacting others it's about being impacted by God so he can impact others through us. We think we have the right to lead - we don't.
Today I will exercise my rights as a Christ-follower.
Thinking,
Pastor Dave
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