Have you heard someone make that statement? When stopped for a traffic violation and asked to show their driver’s license or step out of their car, some refuse the officer’s request. “I know my rights,” they insist. When arrested, they realize their rights were wrong!
The Constitution guarantees us certain rights — freedom of speech, of voting our conscience, of religion, of protecting our family and property, among others. We are not free to break the law by killing, stealing, destroying property or lying.
As Christians, we are free, but only in Christ. As believers, we “…have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness” (Rom. 6:18 NIV1984). We still sin, but we are no longer slaves to sin. It does not have control of us. We have a new Master, and we desire to live a life pleasing to Him.
So, what rights do we have? “Everything is permissible — but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible — but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others” (I Cor. 10:23-24). That does not mean one is free to do anything they please. The second part cannot be overlooked. Are their actions helpful or constructive? Could they cause a new Christian to stumble in their faith or keep a lost friend from being saved?
The last sentence of that verse puts everything into perspective. Following Christ means looking out for the welfare of others. As you develop the fruit of the Spirit, you will find yourself not only meeting the needs of others but living a life that honors Christ. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4).
Paul delivers a strong message to Christians in Gal. 5:13-14, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘love your neighbor as yourself’”.
We are free to do what is right but never to do what is wrong. Peter wrote these words: “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God” (I Peter 2:16).
A person once told me that during tax season, she withheld key facts so she would get more money back. It worked for her. She had the right to do that, but what did it say about her character to friends she proudly told?
Several years ago, we went out to eat with a church member. The first thing he ordered was a beer, even though he was with his pastor and wife. While he, too, had the right to do that, was it beneficial? We were disappointed in him, but it wouldn’t affect us the same way it might affect a new believer or a lost person to whom he may have been witnessing.
Spiritually speaking, I cannot say, “I know my rights.” I have no rights except as it pertains to my life in Christ. As someone stated, “We gave up our self-focused rights when we surrendered ourselves to the lordship of Christ.”
“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak… When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ” (I Cor. 8:9, 12). God’s Word tells us everything we need to know about our rights as Christians.
