Today more than ever, we hear people insisting that their “rights” be given to them – even rights that they don’t really have. As followers of Jesus Christ, we cannot help but wonder if we have the same or different rights as others, what our rights really are, and what we are supposed to do when our rights are denied us. Do we have a right to safety, success, and wealth? Do we have a right to expect respect and common decency from others? Do we have a right to worship God in any way that we are convinced is appropriate? How about a right to a good home, a loving family, and a good name?
The people of Jesus’ day were no different than us, and He was well aware of it. We see Jesus teaching an entirely new view on centuries of traditions and suppositions. Jesus Christ, God-in-the-flesh, has been stretching out the accurate and precise view of God on how true children of God are to think, feel, and act. Generation has followed generation, and mankind has become ever more deeply entrenched in a flesh-view and a worldview of rights that collide with the view of heaven.
Very clearly, Jesus teaches us in Matthew 5:38-42 that we – as Christians, as Christ-followers – have NO rights…we have no right to retaliation, no right to things, no right to our own time, and no right to money. Some find that objectionable. Some may even find it offensive and feel like hollering, “Yeah, but!”
As uncomfortable as it may be for us, we have to be willing to listen to the voice of the Master, allow His Spirit to teach our hearts, and seek His strength and courage to live out His truth.
Let’s look at our Lord’s words here and the perspective, historical context that He speaks from. Jesus quotes from the Mosaic Law as it is recorded in several passages in the Old Testament: Exodus 21:23-25; “But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.” Leviticus 24: 19-20; “And if a man injures his neighbor, just as he has done, so it shall be done to him: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; just as he has injured a man, so it shall be inflicted on him.” Deuteronomy 19:21; “Thus you shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
There is another concept of mercy woven throughout God’s law. In Proverbs 24:29, we read, “Do not say, ‘Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.’" And, in Proverbs 25:21, this directive for mercy is recorded, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” Even in the Law itself, the instruction is clear in Leviticus 19:18 “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.” Even the seemingly “new” standard that Jesus is promoting here is actually part and parcel of what the Jews should already have known, “Let him give his cheek to the smiter; Let him be filled with reproach” Lamentations 3:30.
Jesus used three very clear examples from the everyday lives of His listeners. If we are to get the message and see the point of Jesus’ teaching, the examples He uses must be understood within the context and understanding of who is speaking to whom. We will look at them one at a time.
Verse 39: “But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
We all believe in fair play; we all have a deep desire within us to know and protect the liberties and privileges that we call our rights. We believe we are entitled to simply by the very fact that we are a living, breathing creation of God. Our own Declaration of Independence literally declares, “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights”. This statement comes from deep within the heart of every person, because we all have inherent within us the intense, driving desire to ensure our place in the world. Take a candid look for a moment at your interpersonal relationships and see if this isn’t so.
There is another point here, and it is even more uncomfortable for many than the preceding point. To desire retaliation is to place oneself in the place and authority that God has reserved for Himself alone. Romans 12:19-21 states it as clearly as it can get: “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord." “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” “And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also” (5:40).
The law was very specific about what a man could be deprived of if he lost a suit in court. The “shirt” or tunic that Jesus refers to here was a long, inner garment made of cotton or linen. A man would have several; even a poor man would probably have two. This would correspond today to a shirt and trousers or a dress. The “coat” or cloak that Jesus refers to here was a large, blanket-like outer garment that would be worn as a robe during the day and used as a blanket at night. Many men had only one of these. In Exodus 22:26-27, the Mosaic Law states, “If you ever take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you are to return it to him before the sun sets, for that is his only covering; it is his cloak for his body. What else shall he sleep in? And it shall come about that when he cries out to Me, I will hear him, for I am gracious.”
Jesus and His listeners were well aware of this law, and it was strictly enforced. Now, Jesus is clearly teaching a principle here that goes against the grain of what was considered an “inalienable right.” The principle, once again, is about the underlying attitude of the Christian in the world and subject to the world’s systems. There is not one single piece of property that belongs to us – we are merely holding them for God. Sure, we are to be good stewards of what He has placed in our care, but our grasp of these things is to be loose and free, not tight and demanding. Look again at the above verse from Exodus 22: “And it shall come about that when he cries out to Me, I will hear him, for I am gracious.” And, we must never forget the warning that Jesus gives us in Matthew 16:26: “For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
How does it look to the world for a Christian to obstinately demand his or her rights? What do belligerence and combative aggressiveness say to those around us when we say we live like Jesus? Our priorities and our agenda must conform to that of Jesus Christ if we are to be able to consider ourselves true followers of the One who died in our place. We are to represent Him, not ourselves in the world.
What Jesus is teaching is an underlying attitude and outward behavior. Instead of being bitter and resentful toward what they were being required to do against their will, Jesus was teaching all of His followers – us included – is to do what is required of us cheerfully and graciously, no matter how distasteful or inconvenient it may be.
We are not to be focused on our rights and freedoms, but on our responsibilities and duties. We are to delight in being able to serve others in every capacity available, not resist and resent that which is laid before us. We would do well to keep before us the admonition of Paul in Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Every service we do, every duty that we perform, every task that is set before us is to be seen as a gift and opportunity from God, bringing honor to Him.
There are two approaches we can take: we can be grumblingly resentful and do the bare minimum to get by, which would be anything but an acceptable witness for Jesus Christ. Or, we can do a far better job and do far more than anyone would have a right to expect, and thus astonish those who would be cruel or discourteous or oppressive with the grace with which we perform our task.
We have heard the words of the Lord Jesus Christ as He clearly teaches us what the true standard of attitude and behavior are for the Christian in regard to rights, possessions, and responsibilities.
1) The Christian will never seek retaliation for or be resentful of any insult, no matter who it comes from, and no matter how calculated or treacherous.
2) The Christian will never demand any rights, legal or otherwise, from any authority. We may graciously ask, but – if denied – our response is quiet and calm and our appeal is then to Almighty God, the final Authority and Judge of all.
3) The Christian will never deliberate over their right to live and do as they like, but will live in cheerful anticipation of serving others in unexpected and Christ-like ways, looking forward to fulfilling their duty to help others.
As believers and followers of Jesus Christ we are different just by the fact that “It is no longer I who lives, but Christ in me” (Galatians 2:20). We are now compelled to live by a new standard, a new righteousness, a new sense of what is truly right and truly wrong.
Ours is to be a life of self-sacrifice and service to others, not a life characterized by being selfish and self-serving. We are to not to be preoccupied with the right and wrong of others, but on the principles of conduct that declare our citizenship in heaven.
As Americans there are certain rights we have through the bloodshed of others. We can exercise voting, freedom of speech, freedom of worship, etc. As God's children we are given rights that others in the world don't have. The sad thing is, as God's adopted children, we neglect to exercise these rights. Therefore we are cheating ourselves and cheating God from blessing us. Paul said, "bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable unto all things.”
Rights are given to those who have been adopted as God's children.
A) Delivered from the law. (Rom. 8:15) "For we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
B. Delivered form the bondage of elements of this world. (Gal. 4:3) "Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:"
C. We are given our position, rights, and privileges as sons.
D. Made joints heirs with Christ, heaven is our inheritance. (Heb. 2:11) "For he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren."
E. Spirit of Adoption as our earnest and seal. (Gal. 4:6) "And because we are sons, God Hath sent forth the Spirit of his son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."
F. Led by the spirit. (Rom. 8:14) "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
G. New relationship with God (Rom. 27).
Parents' Rights
To Drill or Not to Drill
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The Christian Civic League has a list of policiy statements on its web site. To review them, log onto www.cclmaine.org and click on "Policies" One of the statements is a policy statement regarding Human Rights.
11. Human Rights
A. We believe every person is created by God with certain inalienable rights. We affirm the right to life, liberty and property, and the right of every person to pursue happiness and the achievement of his full individual potential. We affirm our belief that these fundamental human rights are not granted by the benevolence of the State, but by the Sovereign Hand of God. We, therefore, oppose every attempt of the State to circumvent or to undermine these basic God-given human rights. We support full religious, political, and economic freedom for all people and deplore the totalitarianism, which would deny these liberties.
B. We believe in a free, enlightened and compassionate society, every right implies a responsibility to exercise that right with an understanding of, and sincere respect for, the rights of others.
C. We believe in the principle of equal protection of the law. We, therefore, oppose all discrimination on the basis of race, creed, nationality, gender or religion. We support all reasonable and effective anti-discrimination laws necessary to insure equality of rights for every citizen. We condemn every form of racism, bigotry, or hatred directed against any person or group.
D. We support equal rights for women. We stand opposed, however, to the specific Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution. We believe the ERA, as currently written and presented, is unnecessary and disruptive to family life. We support laws prohibiting sexual harassment and guaranteeing equal pay for equal work. We also support equal opportunity in the areas of employment, education, and public life.
