Ema Sabau Supporter

The Webster definition for the word "citizen" is correct. 

" our citizenship is not of this world" said the Bible .Because it is so we have to know as much is possible about that world. We find details about that world in the Bible.

Lord Jesus was an representative of that world (kingdom of God). Reading in the Bible we find very easy the "rights " of a citizen of  heaven. 

We hear almost daly about christian rights. Please, please do not take me wrong, I love to have a ease life in this world, but that is not promised in the Bible in the New Testament. 

Such promises were made to the believers in the Old Testament. All the blessings were promised here and now for those who obeyed God . In the same time the punishments were applied here on the earth to those who disobey God. 

Those blessings or punishments were specific for Israel. God gave them the Law to be obeyed and He judged them accordingly with that Law.All of this was based on the abrahamic covenant. I do not get into details of that covenant. It is clearly described in Genesis. 

Now we are under a new covenant. This covenant is one made in precious blood of Jesus . This covenant is totally deferent then old covenant.

Who enter in God's family, a spiritual family,enter in His kingdom beginning from this life.(some believe they will enter this kingdom ofter their death).Lord Jesus said : " who accept Him as Savor and Lord HAS eternal life" . Not will have sometime in the future. 

Now I will tell you something about " christian's rights". In this subject it is very difficult for an christian american to understand what I am going to tell you now. I came in this country from a communist country. There are christians to. Those christians never had idea about " christian's rights". That was because just reading the Bible you cant get this idea.

America was a spoiled place for christians. I said and I always say this. It is nothing wrong to be "spoiled" child of God. Wrong is when someone get the conclusion that is normal standard for all the christians. I think that was the basis of the question here- rights of christians-.

Jesus promised to His disciple eternal life TOGETHER with persecution in this world. Where are rights promised? Nowhere. But He promised them His protection trough the presence of Holly Spirit .

I have to say a lot more in this subject but leave that up to those who wants to know more if they want to contact me.

In very very short that is my view about" christian rights" in this  world.

October 24 2013 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

john labriola Supporter

Luke 6:37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.  

As I see it, that is the only right that we do not have is one of judgement.   

1 John 4:16-18

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

With the above scripture, we have all rights except for the day of judgement, and we have all the protection if we love.

October 23 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College & Dallas Seminary graduate, Pentair

Good question, Doug M. I have a cousin named Doug M. Is this you, Doug? 

An ISBE entry (ISBE, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, my favorite Bible encyclopedia) explicitly connects Paul's Roman legal rights (appeal to Caesar, exemption from scourging) to his theological language in Philippians 3:20, where he calls heaven our politeuma (commonwealth or colony). The ISBE states that just as Paul was absent from Rome yet still enjoyed its civic privileges and protections when he asserted his rights, so believers are sojourners on earth who still enjoy the privileges and protections of their heavenly commonwealth right now. 

See Acts 16:37, where Paul claims his Roman rights. This event, set in the Roman colony of Philippi (Acts 16:12), provides the crucial historical and cultural backdrop for understanding his profound theological statement about our heavenly citizenship in Philippians 3:20.

As citizens of heaven, we possess several covenantal rights secured by grace. We have the right of unhindered access to God's throne, where we receive mercy and help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). We have the right to be heard, for Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, serves as our Advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). We hold the right of spiritual authority over the enemy's power (Luke 10:19), the right to provision from God's glorious riches (Philippians 4:19), and the right to become children of God through belief in His name (John 1:12). There's a great song that goes right along with Luke 10:19 --> Song I Have Given You Authority (Luke 10:19 - NIV) 3:28

Source: G. H.Trever, but I should acknowledge that I used chat.deepseek.com as a research tool.

11 hours ago • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report