Insight Ministries: Bible study for perfection and holiness.

Rights

by Eli Miller

“Rights” are one of the hot issues of the day. Practically every segment of society is clamoring to be heard above every other sector for their “rights.” One hears of “women's rights,” “children's rights,” “student rights,” “gay rights,” “criminal rights,” and “animal rights” to name but a few.

While the entrenched rights of individuals are paramount to a democratic society, it needs to be understood that responsibilities must accompany those rights. Rights without responsibility become privileges for the select few who make enough noise to drown out common sense and the well-being of the larger whole. When the rights of select groups of individuals obscure their responsibilities to the whole society, chaos and anarchy are ultimately inevitable. Even now, as the twenty-first century is underway, Western civilization teeters in that delicate balance.

In the ever-increasing clamor for rights, where is the call for the accountability of the individual? Where is the intelligent concern that mutual respect is the very foundation of an ongoing social structure? Where is the balance of the personal responsibility of all, and the exempt privileges of a few?

Amid the clamor for special rights and privileges, there is one segment of our society that is largely overlooked when it comes to having rights. However, this same group has the sacred responsibility to propagate mankind and shape the leaders of tomorrow. They are the fiber and backbone—the very building blocks of the human race and a stable society.

Who is this “rights deprived” sector? They are the hardworking parents of today's children and youth, laboring under an increasing tax burden, much of which goes to fund the “rights” of others.

Parents are morally and legally responsible for their offspring until they are 19 years of age. Society wisely limits the minimum age for driving, drinking alcoholic beverages, and marriage, knowing that responsible decision making maturity has not been attained before hand. But ironically, that same society gives contraceptives, abortions, and needles to early teens without parental knowledge. And when parents question such madness, they are told their children have the “right” to privacy! It is acceptable for taxpayers (their parents) to fund such practices, but they do not have the “right” to challenge them! Where are the “equal rights” of parents in this lopsided equation?

“Every man's way is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice is desired by the LORD rather than sacrifice.” (Prov.21:2-3)

The clarion cry that needs to be raised is a definitive challenge to righteousness. Righteousness is what is “right” from God's perspective. Unfortunately, in most circles, such a call is pitifully missing. Those who would stand up and call for morality, decency, true equality, and godliness are often regarded by today's “enlightened” society as irrelevant misfits of the past.

However, if righteousness would be the order of the day, there would be no need for military conflicts, massive work strikes, AIDS research, abortion clinics, rights groups or higher taxes. All mankind would be living in harmony with their neighbors and experiencing the blessing of a holy and righteous God. All would be seeking to become producers and contributing to the well-being of the whole, rather than looking for more ways to consume what is being produced by the whole.

Is such a paradisial state possible? It is only possible as we learn to live together by God's absolute standards of righteousness, responsibility, and respect. Rise to this challenge and allow righteousness to begin with you – then you will truly experience your “rights.”
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Proverbs.14:34)

This article written by:
Eli Miller,
Insight Ministries,
PO Box 8000-474,
Abbotsford, BC V2S 6H1
Canada