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BIBLICAL RIGHTS REVELATION 22:14-17 On July 4th, 1776 representatives from the 13 colonies signed a document, known as the Declaration of Independence. The most quoted part of this declaration is this: “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…” Today, on this 4th of July, let’s look at this quote and draw some spiritual applications from it. The Bible has a lot to say about freedom, and certain rights that are promised only to the Christian. All Men Are Created Equal The New Testament is clear on this subject: There is no partiality with God, Romans 2:11 God wants all people to be saved. I Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. God sent His Son into the world that all might be saved. John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” God shows His no partiality by making the terms of salvation the same for everyone. All must Hear the word of God Believe that Jesus is the Christ Repent of their sins Confess Jesus as the Christ Be baptized to wash away your sins. You have the right to salvation but only on God’s terms For those in Christ there is no distinction. Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. God does not favor an individual because of his station in life, his nationality, or his material possessions. He does however respect his character and judge his work. Acts 10:34-35 "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” In the eyes of God “All Men Are Created Equal.” We Are Endowed By Our Creator With Certain Unalienable Rights The age we live in, may well go down in history as the “Age of Rights.” The Bill of Rights Constitutional Rights Women’s Rights Children’s Rights Minority Rights Human Rights The Bible declares that we as Christians have certain rights. The pursuit of Happiness We have the right to be happy. God wants us to be happy! Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! There are times when it is hard to rejoice and be happy. Sin Illness Trials Temptation Through it all we are told to “Rejoice” We should rejoice because Christ’s blood cleanses us I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. You can overcome temptation Your Salvation I Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Acts 8:39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. You have the right to rejoice and pursue happiness. We Have The Right To Liberty True liberty (freedom) is found only in Christ. Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, If you are looking elsewhere for freedom you are wasting your time. Our freedom should not be used for sin Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Knowing Jesus and His word will free us from sin. John 8:32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'' Notice Romans 6:16-23 Christ frees us from the condemnation of sin and the law of sin and death Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. You have a right to liberty True freedom is found only in Jesus Christ You Have The Right To Life John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. When Christ came into the world, He brought with Him a standard by which we should live our lives When we live by Christ’s standards our lives will be better and more abundant. The real reason Christ came into the world was to save sinners and give us the hope of eternal life. John 10:27-28 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. Eternal life comes only through Jesus Christ. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Matthew 25:46 "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.'' Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Notice I John 5:11-13 As a child of God, you have the right to eternal life. Like any other right these rights may be forfeited. As we said earlier these rights are not promised to everyone, but only to the Christian. We should never think we are independent of God. ARE YOU DEPENDING ON GOD TODAY? • Given by David Hamlin on July 4, 2010 am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.org