Where Is The Law Regarding Rights?
 |
| How these phrases are interpreted makes them very agreeable. They are to be interpreted according to the Gospel, as that is the proper interpretation. Interpretations outside of the Gospel's light, lawlessness abounds with murder argued as a right. |
The foundational premise and justification for, and definition of, human rights can be found rooted throughout God's Word.
Here is the collective summary of that premise clearly defined:
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
- Matthew 7: 12How the law is fulfilled by humans:
Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore Love is the fulfillment of the Law.
- Romans 13: 10It could be argued that human rights had its origin in secular systems of government, one example being in Roman law influenced by Greek law.
Here is an example of a dramatic exchange where rights are associated with the secular concept of 'citizen':
As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and interrogated in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this. As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”
When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “This man is a Roman citizen.” The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”
“Yes, I am,” he answered.
Then the commander said, “I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship.”
“But I was born a citizen,” Paul replied.
Those who were about to interrogate him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.
- Acts 22: 23-29Notice the mention of what is termed 'due process' Today in the civilized world when Paul asked about a flogging preceding a guilty verdict.
Notice also the distinction between one category of human being (citizen) and another (non-citizen).
According to that time's secular law and this depiction, a non-citizen can be flogged (beaten) and then interrogated (questioned)... while a citizen cannot be touched / punished before any guilt is proven.
Did Messiah teach such manners?
If not, why do some people who claim to be Christians still treat their fellow human beings, whether Christian or not, as non-citizens... when the Christian has a heavenly citizenship... and is called to treat others as one would desire to be treated?
Perhaps because some people have their eyes on their secular government and secular individuals posing as Christians (pretenders)... and not on their King: Yeshua the Lord thy God.
Perhaps because people are led astray in arguing over earthly citizenships when they should be ensuring they have a heavenly citizenship according to how they treat others.
Have you noticed that such Christian pretenders, many of which occupy public positions in politics and industry, have been mentioned in the Bible?
Read it for yourself:
Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Yeshua Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.
- Philippians 3: 17-21Notice it is speaking to the Church and those who actually live like enemies of the cross of Christ.
These have yet to die to the ways of this world, but instead emulate and reflect the sinful nature and all its shame.
This is why not all who call themselves 'Christians' (like Christ) are, by their lifestyle and actions, are Christians... or even 'know' Him (or are known by Him).
Although the Hebrew society prior to Messiah had also a citizen v. non-citizen mentality like the Romans, and although they also had a system of slavery allowed under their law just like the Romans, Messiah taught that loving others is the fulfillment of the Law.
And again, the manner one treats others (in desiring to be likely treated) sums up (totality / beginning and end of) the Law.
The timing when the entirety of the Law and its fulfillment meets concepts of citizenship and rights (ideas of this world) was not by mistake or coincidence in the 1st century.
God's timing is perfect... and always 'on time'.
What followed was the perfecting of the law in the light of Christ.
The revealing of wisdom through the Holy Spirit to the Church since then teaches one man to treat another man with equal respect, dignity, kindness, and ultimately love in all things. (Romans 12)
This continues to be achieved in the civilized world as the laws of men are perfected according to what God has established in Messiah... even in places where Messiah is partially understood, for the entire earth is His (the Lord's).
This is the teaching of Messiah regardless of citizenship documentation, or belief system held by another, or whatever group they are affiliated with.
Consider how this perfection in law and man comes and has come about:
But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the Right Hand of God, and since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool. For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says:
“This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put My Laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”
- Hebrews 10: 12-16How does one determine whether a law is just, or good, or right?
Simple.
Does it love another and treat them as the lawgiver would desire to be treated if roles were reversed?
If not, or if further questions arise, it is likely an imperfect law since it falls away from love.
Imperfection is returning / reciprocating what is given.
The ancient manners of reciprocity (eye for an eye - and also kindness for kindness) is imperfect because it doesn't overcome evil, but simply mirrors what is given (whether goodness or evil).
Responding to a negative action with a positive action is the teaching of Messiah... even unto death.
It is this teaching which reveals heavenly citizenship and who is blessed with rights from on high. (again Romans 12)
The laws of men had previously developed according to custom, tradition, culture... and all of these stemming from ideologies beholden to broken identities.
Identities broke down as people moved away from those who held onto God's testimony (specifically the lineage through whom prophets have been revealed - namely the Hebrews) and that identity was perfected when Messiah exemplified the highest human identity: child of God.
The broken identity that perceives a neighbor, stranger, or foreigner as not like yourself and thus not equal in terms of loving them, or treating them as you would desire they treat you, is the broken identity Messiah has fixed and revealed.
According to what God has revealed from Above, the laws of men are continuously being edited to reflect the perfection revealed in Messiah and in His Church throughout the world.
At times, the editing falls short of loving God (obedience to His commands)... and slips back into things recognized as unnatural and depraved since ancient times (and forbidden in clear terms in the Law).
Consider these mistakes of men who argue their depravity as some type of 'right'.
Consider the ignorance and abstract 'logic' their ignorance reveals.
Such detrimental effects on the public, the promotion of depravity and banality mainstreamed, is clearly witnessed in society... yet will be measured in the next generation.
Those who are witnesses continue with love and grace and are sustained along with those who patiently wait for the editing mistakes to be rectified.
The 119th Psalm was one of my early favorites when I began studying His Word in my early 20's.
Every line mentions God's instruction to mankind that answers many questions in how it relates to life.
A mirroring is found in this chapter and what Messiah introduced while fulfilling the Law:
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the Law of the Lord.
Blessed are those who keep His Statutes
and seek Him with all their heart —
they do no wrong
but follow His Ways.
- Psalm 119: 1-3What followed fulfilled the Law's hostile aspects and enlarged the moral aspects, bringing love to the forefront:
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you...
... You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is Perfect.
- Matthew 5: 3-12, 43-48Matthew 5 should be read in its entirety.
Notice how Messiah addresses man's reciprocity of returning what is given (good for good, or bad for bad), and consider how this is eluded to as imperfect when He teaches to be perfect - loving your enemy. (once again Romans 12)
Consider how this teaching speaks not only to those who make themselves enemies of God and His disciples, but also the false Christians who primarily worship the laws of the secular state and, by their actions, follow the 'gods' of ancient peoples... while ignoring the Living God who reigns from heaven: Yeshua the Lord thy God.
And where human rights have yet to be made evident through secular laws of men, those who pursue Messiah's example of love-fulfillment realize something that goes beyond earthly rights:
Great peace have those who love your Law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
- Psalm 119: 165Every aspect of life has its particular law and jurisdiction.
Regardless of the lack of perfection still evident in the laws of men and their attempts at government, when the Source of Inspiration is quoted and used as the basis of man's law (and not opposed as seen in every corner of the world), only then does law and order compliment what God has already established:
Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your Law...
... Cause me to understand the way of your Precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds...
... Your Statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
The unfolding of your Words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
- Psalm 119: 18, 27, 129-130Lastly, the mysterious ways the Law of God has been revealed in places where some may argue no seed was sown is clearly witnessed through the countless accounts of people having dreams or visions of Messiah and coming to faith in Him as the Lord their God... people from all nations and religious backgrounds!
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save those He has appointed since eternity for paradise.
The Law of God that grants Right is beyond man's attempt at editing, obstructing, or denying:
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
- John 1: 9-13The right to become children of God... born of God.
This is the best certification that any human being can wish to receive.
Not a 'birth certificate' issued and stamped by imperfect governments of men, but a 'birth' (a being born) that is a 'right' from God... being born of God.
Seek and pursue the citizenship that is heavenly, the right that is from Above... and see the noise of men who, though acting wise are simpletons, for what it is: imperfect.
Comments