Resources/Articles
What Do You Have The Right To Do? (1)
People want the right to do whatever they enjoy doing. Some people believe their rights are based upon how they feel about an issue. Others believe their rights are founded in the traditions of their parents and grandparents. Some have the basis of their rights firmly planted in private activist groups, which often leads to more strife and turmoil than it does what is right.
In many religious discussions where people disagree, a common statement is made at the conclusion of their discussion. Someone will say, “That’s your interpretation of the Bible. I’m entitled to what I believe just like you are.” True it is, we all have a “right” to believe what we want about any religious subject. A fool can even say in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1). Do people have a right to whatever conclusion they desire about any religious topic?
The Bible says, “But sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer toe very man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). Being ready to give an answer is the idea of apologetics. Apologetics is simply being able to answer in defense for oneself. You might think apologetics is expressing regret, sorrow, “apology” or disappointment (i.e., coughing without covering our mouths, etc.). Embarrassment for following and teaching the word of God is not what you hear in the New Testament from men like Peter or Paul or John.
Paul suffered as he proclaimed the good news of salvation. Some may believe his “rights” were violated by persecuting him for teaching about Jesus, but listen to what he says in 2 Timothy 1:12,13: “For which cause I suffer these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold the pattern of sound words which thou has heard from me…”
Paul did not receive a faith like that from a private activist group emphasizing and demanding their “rights” not be violated. He was defending his belief from the Bible (vv. 8-10). When it comes to spiritual matters, the defense for what many believe comes from their parents, teachers, preachers, or tradition. When asked why they believe as they do, the answer often given is, “That’s what our preacher said…” or “Our church believes…” The question for us is “What does God say in the Bible?” (2 Timothy 4:2-4). You have the right to do what God has revealed in scripture. The Bible should be your defense (apologetics) for what you religiously believe and practice. If your belief cannot be found there, why do you continue to hold on to it? Sanctify the Lord in your heart (1 Peter 3:15). Hold Him and His word holy not your “rights”! It is the only standard to illuminate the way from earth to heaven. It is easy to see and hard to miss that apologetics has nothing to do with “rights”. It has everything to do with faith (Romans 10:17). Faith which comes by hearing the word of God. Therefore, are your answers to religious questions found in the Bible?
You and I may have the “right” to believe whatever we want about any religious topic, but if we want to be right with God, our “rights” must be laid aside. “If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself” (John 7:17). Our “right” is to have the right answer from God and “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11).
