I often hear fearful talk when people perceive that they are losing perceived rights. I wonder what would happen if I asked people to write down a list of what they believe are essential human rights. My guess is that I would certainly see some similarities in particular areas, but then I am sure I would also see ten differing lists. What we all see as our fundamental rights is not always as steadfast and uniform as we might like to think. What if someone asked me to complete the same task. What would my list look like? Well, fundamentally, my list would have to contain two rights as the most important human rights I would write at the top of the page.
1. The first human right is one that comes because all humans have sinned against the God of the universe. Outside of God's saving hand, every human has the right to an eternal judgment under the wrath of the infinitely righteous God. (Hebrews 9:27)
2. The second right I would list comes because of the mercy of God through the saving grace of Christ and his work on the cross for those who believe. In Christ (alone) we have the right to be sons of God.
John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
For Christians, especially in a rights culture like the USA, I believe it is way too easy to underestimate the wonder, joy, and importance of the right we have as believers in Jesus. By being adopted into the family of God the Apostle John is telling us that we have a right to being God's children. That right is not something we have deserved, but something we are fundamentally given as the most glorious gift. It is a right to be a child of God because God will not deny anyone who is in Jesus Christ. That is his steadfast, unbreakable promise.
With the right to be his children in Christ, comes the certainty of an infinitely valuable eternity. Galatians 4:1-7 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Let's not underestimate the important value of what Paul was saying to the Galatians. Once you are in Christ you are a fully-fledged child of God in a way that you are fully inherited as a son. Daughters and Sons of God are full heirs of the promise obtained by Christ. That means all the benefits of living in the new creation and in the abiding presence of our Savior and King will never be taken away. The trials and tribulations of this world will never hamper your status as an heir when you are a child of the eternal God.
Let's now think of our fears. Are your perceived rights in this world even a close match to the right you have to be God's child in Christ? Your right to good health? Your right to a comfortable and happy life in this world? Your right to be respected by your spouse? Your right to be obeyed by your children? Your right to be honored in your life? Your right to bear arms? NO- None of these fleeting desires that many of us at least treat as rights will even closely match the eternal inheritance promised to those who have right to be God's child.
Maybe I'll just stop my list at two rights, but I will also put all my hope in one. I hope only in one, because I want no part of the other. So, there it is - Two rights that matter most but one alone that brings glorious hope. What then shall I fear if I'm in Christ? Nothing, because in him I have the right to become a child of God.