WHAT RIGHTS DO YOU HAVE THAT ARE PERMANENT?

SCRIPTURE:
Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, 
he gave the right to become children of God.  
(John 1:12)

MEDITATION:
The constitution of the United States includes a Bill of Rights.
These ten ‘rights’ were written to benefit the citizens of the United States.
One of these rights excludes the government from making laws that affect religions.
However this one ‘right’ has been dishonored as people are told 
that they cannot refuse service to customers who are in conflict with their beliefs.

The Declaration of Independence also talks about ‘rights’.
“We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable; that all men are created 
equal and independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights 
inherent and inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, liberty, 
and the pursuit of happiness.”

These ‘rights’ have also been disregarded.
“preservation of life” has been redefined to exclude the unborn human beings.
There are also attempts to prohibit citizens from having the weapons available 
that help them to preserve their own lives 
(yet, criminals have free access to these weapons).

“liberty” means that we are not owned by anyone, however the government 
has made attempts to ‘own’ people by giving them handouts 
and making them dependent on the government.

“pursuit of happiness” means that we have the right to pursue our self-interests 
as long as they do not endanger the lives or well-being of others. 
However, this ‘right’ has also been abused by the government as it has allowed 
the invasion of women’s restrooms by those who are not women. 
This endangers the well-being of the female populous of America.

Citizens of the United States have been given specific rights, however others 
have tried to redefine these rights, and in essence rendered them ineffective.
Aren’t you glad that the scriptures give us a ‘right’ 
that will never be distorted or rescinded?

God is love, but who can describe or measure the love of God? 
Even though He has an unfathomable love, 
it doesn’t mean that He will merely ‘wink at’ sin.
God’s holiness demands that all sin be punished.
He will not change from one person to the next – that would be favoritism 
which does not describe our unchanging God.

However, because of His love, 
He provided a plan of redemption and salvation for sinful man.
No matter what sin you have committed, no matter how black, dirty, 
shameful, or terrible it may be, God loves you. 
This love of God that is immeasurable, unmistakable, and unending, 
reaches to wherever a person exists.
However, God will not force Himself upon anyone against his will. 

When we (any person) follow the guidelines established by God, 
we have a ‘right’ to become His children.
When we belong to Him, 
it is permanent and will never be distorted or changed by anyone.

ACTION:
Have you exercised your ‘right’ to become a child of God?
It is your part to believe. 
It is your part to receive. 
Nobody else can do it for you.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for providing us with rights that are 
permanent and unchanging. Thank You for everything these rights 
encompass, including being a child of Yours with a destiny of living 
with You eternally. In a world where stability is difficult to find, 
You have given us a solid foundation in Your Word. Forgive me if
I have failed to accept this right and convict me of what I need to do
to receive what You have offered me.”