Rights: Claiming and Surrendering Them in Christ

Human and civil rights shape how we live together, yet the gospel reframes them as gifts to steward and, when necessary, gifts to lay down. This article explores the source of rights, the responsibilities they carry, and the freedom found in following Christ's example of self-giving love.

The Source and Scope of Rights

Human rights are the universal, fundamental necessities required to sustain life—such as the right to life, water, food, and shelter. Civil rights are the liberties one obtains through being a legal citizen of a particular country. While these categories overlap, both are fundamental freedoms that should be the norm for all individuals, protecting them from unfair treatment or discrimination on grounds of race, gender, age, religion, political affiliation, cultural background, social standing, or any other distinguishing factor (Gen 1:26-27; Mt 7:12; Act 10:34; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11; Jas 2:1-4).

Every person bears God's image and deserves dignity

Christianity as such does not grant special rights; Christians have only those afforded as citizens of their respective countries, while representing their heavenly King in a sinful and fallen world. As citizens, we possess both obligations and rights. It is appropriate to stand up for basic rights and defend ourselves when necessary, but we need discernment about when to seek justice and when to submit willingly, even if injustice results. Our conduct should always align with the teachings of the gospel of Christ (Phil 1:27).

Christians are to be loyal citizens, obeying the laws of the land up to the point of conscientious objection. When human rules contravene God's directions, we obey God rather than people and accept the consequences (Act 5:29). Paul modelled this balance: he knew he was unjustly accused, so he stood up for his civil rights as a Roman citizen and used every opportunity to share Jesus (Act 22:1-21,25, 24:13,24, 25:8,10-11, 26:2,29, 27:17,28,31). Jesus, by contrast, chose not to defend Himself at trial because His unique mission was to die for our sins; the cross was His appointed end.

Civil rights may be used wisely when they advance justice and the gospel

The tension between individual rights and collective well-being is one of the fundamental challenges in ethics and politics. A healthy society strives to balance personal freedoms—autonomy, privacy, freedom of expression, and property rights—with community needs such as public health, environmental protection, social justice, and public safety. The goal is not to eliminate tensions but to manage them in ways that respect both individual dignity and the common good.

Even animals, though a lower form of creation, should be treated humanely. They are not unfeeling property; they have needs and should be provided with food, water, and shelter. "A righteous man cares for the needs of his animals" (Prov 12:10; Mt 12:11).

Rights and Responsibilities

Rights imply responsibilities: for every right there is a parallel responsibility. Many people are so focused on their rights, or what they think is due them, that they neglect their responsibilities in the workplace, marriage, and before God. We should be more concerned about doing our duty than policing other people's actions. Be generous, outgoing, and go beyond what is expected (Mt 5:39-42).

The measure of a right is the responsibility it carries

A position of authority or power is not a privilege to be flaunted but an opportunity to serve God by serving people, doing as we would want done to us (Mt 25:40; Lk 6:31).

In our world, protests are often used to enact change or get the attention of authority, but Christians need to ask whether this is always the best approach. Conflict and aggression result when we expect our rights to be met while violating those of another. We should be discerning, not blindly accepting everything society requires, because our allegiance first and foremost is to God.

Discernment protects rights from becoming coercion

Reproductive rights are often viewed as a woman's right to control the number and spacing of children she conceives, especially regarding unplanned pregnancy. While contraception does not violate Scripture, the right to abortion-on-demand does.

Regarding personal justice, giving up our legitimate rights is better than doing something that will cause a weaker Christian to stumble in faith (1 Cor 8:9-13, 9:12, 10:23-33). Freedom is not the same as licence; rights must be exercised with love.

Love sometimes chooses silence over entitlement

Surrendering Rights for Christ's Sake

We have no fundamental rights in our relationship with God. At conversion, we surrendered our desires and aspirations to our new Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. As bondservants to Christ, we exist solely to serve Him (1 Cor 6:19-20). This requires renouncing our desires, rights, and plans by laying everything at His feet and living by the motto, "Not my will, but yours be done" (Mt 26:39,42). We are called to take up our cross and follow Him, considering our life poured out for a higher good than personal comfort and goals (Mt 16:24; Lk 9:23; Rom 6:16,22; Phil 2:17; 2 Tim 4:6).

The Christian's first allegiance is to Christ, not to self

Taking up our cross involves daily choosing to deny our self-centred nature by loving God above all else and living a Godly life that puts others first (Mt 6:33; Mk 12:30-31; Lk 6:31). The cross speaks of death to the self-life. Christ's ministry was fulfilled through the pathway of the cross; it is for us too. Life is not about us.

As the Son of God, Jesus relinquished His place in heaven, coming to earth to redeem humanity from their perilous state. He did not come to be served but to serve, ministering to humanity by relinquishing His rights to bring salvation and enable us to enjoy the full benefits as God's adopted children (Mt 20:28; 2 Cor 8:9; Gal 4:5; Phil 2:5-11). Therefore, we associate with Christ in His death, forsaking our former self-centred lives (Col 2:20, 3:3).

Christ gave up His rights so we could become children of God

Christians are considered to have privileges rather than special rights. A right is an entitlement that cannot legally be denied; a privilege is an advantage or favour granted to certain people. Christians have many privileges associated with their faith: the Father has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (Col 1:12); because Jesus is our high priest, we can approach God's throne of grace with confidence (Heb 4:16); and we are given the privilege to be called children of God, with the promise of entering heaven, provided we walk in His ways (Mt 7:21; Jn 1:12, 3:3,16,36, 14:2-3). We are also given the privilege and authority to use the name of Jesus to extend His kingdom (Mk 16:17-18). Heavenly citizenship and rights are vastly different from earthly political rights.

It is easy to misuse a privilege through pride or abuse of power. Christians need to serve others with genuine concern and humility. While we may appear to have few visible earthly privileges now, in the next life we will have the immense privilege to share His eternal glory (Jn 14:1-3).

Privilege is a trust to be stewarded, not a status to be exploited

Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand. The example of Christ shows us that meeting the needs of others—doing for them as we would want done for us—should be more important than fulfilling our rights. Being focused on ourselves shows immaturity (Phil 2:4).

Do I voluntarily give up my privileges and position, including recognition by others, choosing instead to serve people, putting up with inconveniences and injustices rather than causing another to stumble or hinder the gospel (Rom 14:21; 1 Cor 6:12, 9:4-27; Heb 10:34)?

Love often lays down its rights so grace can be seen

Jesus said we are to "turn the other cheek," go the second mile, and "do good to those who hate you" (Mt 5:39,41; Lk 6:27). This does not mean we place ourselves or others in danger or ignore injustice. Rather than taking offense and retaliating, we respond with forgiveness and goodness, "overcoming evil with good," so offenders may be ashamed of their actions (Prov 19:11; Rom 12:20-21; Eph 4:32). Jesus served freely but never allowed people to take what He was not ready to give; when He was hated and despised, He did not retaliate, but entrusted Himself to God who judges justly (1 Pet 2:23).

Some people take the view of being a "doormat for Jesus," allowing people to walk over them in the hope that ungodly actions will be met with kindness. Although perceived as weakness, this shows real strength in trusting God. Yet wisdom and discernment are needed: the goal is to persuade sinners by highlighting God's grace, not to enable sin or irresponsibility. Those trapped in unhealthy submission need truth and freedom. Whatever your view, allow God's grace to shine.

Self-Defense and the Protection of Life

Self-defense is the right and responsibility to protect oneself or another innocent person from unjust harm. Scripture distinguishes between patient endurance of personal insult and the duty to preserve life: a slap on the cheek is borne with grace, but a threat to life or limb may be met with proportionate force. The same command that forbids murder also implies that human life is precious and ought to be defended. Self-defense, therefore, is not the same as revenge. Revenge seeks to repay evil for evil and to satisfy a wounded ego; self-defense seeks to stop violence and protect the vulnerable. A Christian may pray for an attacker, refuse hatred, and still act decisively to prevent serious injury or death. In doing so, love honors the image of God in both the victim and the aggressor by refusing to treat life as cheap.

Reflection and Application:

Where am I demanding my rights in a way that infringes on someone else's dignity or faith?
How can I use my privileges—citizenship, influence, or spiritual blessings—to serve others and advance the gospel?
When should I defend justice, and when should I willingly yield so that a weaker believer is not stumbled?
What would it look like for me to "take up my cross" in a current relationship, responsibility, or disappointment?