Now the title of this blog entry today appears to be negative in nature because rights are perceived as the ultimate thing in our increasingly progressive society. And for the secular American, perhaps they are. Americans most definitely have certain rights, guaranteed by our current constitution - as long as our future selves don't amend the rights away, and as long as our justice system enforces those rights.
But Christian Americans realize that even though they have rights as Americans, they do NOT have rights as Christians. God does not bestow rights upon those who worship him. He only bestows gifts and inheritances. The air we breathe is not considered a right in Biblical doctrine that God is required to provide to us. It's considered a gift. Food is as well. And shelter from the brutal sun.
God doesn't give to us out of obligation but out of benevolence. Active provision is much more of a loving act than the allowance of a right. Without him we would have nothing. We lack the ability to create our own air to sustain our own existence. So we can argue with God for giving us gifts instead of rights I suppose. And perhaps some people who endure quite a bit of suffering in their life understandably question what they've been given. But I'm not one of those people. What I've been given greatly exceeds the trials I've been exposed to thus far. I anticipate more trials as I age, but we'll se what happens. For the time being, I have a lot of gratitude. And I do hope and pray that if my trials increase my gratitude will not substantially diminish.
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