Thankful Thirty – God’s Important Gift of Rights

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The Declaration of Independence begins with these words…

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

What are those undeniable implicit rights according to leaders and governments?

Partial List of Basic Human Rights

1. Created by God All Humans are Equal
2. Right to Freedom
3. Right to Life
4. Right to Personal Thought and Expression
5. Right to Faith and Freedom of Religion
6. Right to Safety
7. Right to Education
8. Right to Work
9. Right to Equality Under the Law
10. Right to Peaceful Assembly

“Every State has the primary duty to protect its own population from grave and sustained violations of human rights, as well as from the consequences of humanitarian crises, whether natural or man-made.” ~Pope Benedict XVI

“The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.” ~John F. Kennedy

Give to every human being every right that you claim for yourself.” ~Robert Green Ingersoll

But what does God say about Human Rights? What are the rights He’s given?

Partial List of Biblical Human Rights

1. Right to Love God (Deuteronomy 6:5)
2. Right to Love Others (Matthew 22:39)
3. Right to Serve God (Deuteronomy 13:4)
4. Right to Serve Others (Mark 10:45)
5. Right to Extend Kindness (Zechariah 7:9)
6. Right to Worship (Psalm 89:14–16)
7. Right to Know Truth (Psalm 25:5)
8. Right to Stand Up for the Oppressed and Vulnerable (Proverbs 31:•-9)
9. Right to Share with Others (Hebrews 13:16)
10. Right to Be Who You are Created to Be (Ephesians 2:10)

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:8-9

“Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.” ~Steve Marabol

“Hungry for love, He looks at you. Thirsty for kindness, He begs of you. Naked for loyalty, He hopes in you. Homeless for shelter in your heart, He asks of you. Will you be that one to Him?” ~Mother Teresa

Human rights were given that we might use them to help one another. 

Jesus, our very best example of how we should treat each other . . . lifted up those who were hurting and vulnerable.

What rights are you most thankful for?

The best way to be thankful for your God-given rights is to extend those same rights to others.

Jesus said, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. Matthew 7:12

The blessing of human rights is the opportunity to reach out. To offer the amazing gift of God’s love not just in words but in behavior.

We’ve been given an amazing gift. Now is the time to decide what we are going to do with it.

Father, You gifted us with basic rights. Thank you! Rights like freedom and equality. Rights to learn, work, and worship. Rights to seek truth and care for each other. Forgive us. We too often only think about our rights while failing to extend those same rights to others. Help us Lord. Give a hearts full of kindness and compassion, and help us to help each other. Enable us to love like Jesus. In whose name we pray. Amen.

Photo Credit – BossFight.co

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