As we continue to look at individual rights it is important to keep in mind that because these rights are natural rights, given by God not man that without natural rights there is no opportunity for freedom. The nature of man is to lust for more and more power and control over everything and anyone that stands in the way of what they want. This is also the true nature of government. That is why we have to be diligent in protecting our natural rights from the infringement of government.
Little by little over the last 100 years the federal government has been growing and expanding in doing things it was never intended to do. With every expansion and new program our Constitutional freedoms have been chipped away in very subtle ways. The rights and freedoms chipped away infringe not just on individual rights (for the good of the nation and helping the poor) but also there has been a consistent infringement of states’ rights. The rights of special groups have been elevated over the last twenty years infringing on individual rights, states’ rights and most of our First Amendment rights.
There seems to be a growing list of ‘rights’ that do not actually fit into natural law. In Chad Kent’s book UN-Complicating The Constitution he gives three basic characteristics in deciding what is a right and what isn’t.
• Exercising a right must not require the participation of another person;
• Exercising a right must not take anything from another person;
• Exercising a right must not require the government to grant you that right.
Anything that doesn’t meet these three criteria is not a right but a privilege.
What we really want is for government to guard and protect our rights. That should be the greatest compelling interest of government. Unfortunately, we know this is not the case today. So how can we begin to turn government back towards the days when it was smaller and less intrusive? If it takes a couple of days to turn a big ship around to go back to its port then it is going to take a minimum of a couple of decades to turn government around.
It will require patience and diligence. We must realize it won’t happen overnight but with each election cycle we will take a little more ground. It is those we have carelessly put in office over the years that have led this ship astray and it is up to us to be intentional in electing new leaders that can make the tough decisions that will begin to turn this ship around before we hit an iceberg. When leaders are short-sighted and only concerned with staying in office all they accomplish is putting a band aide on a problem that requires major surgery. We need elected representatives who are willing to make the tough decisions for the long-term good of the nation.
As a people we have become like our politicians – not thinking about the next generation. We have relinquished the philosophy of the generations who came before us who believed it was their ‘duty’ to be a stepping stone for future generations. Their desire was that their children and grandchildren would have better futures than they had. It is this kind of thinking that creates generational momentum and sustainable prosperity. It is also a Biblical way of thinking. We would do well to repent of our selfishness and return to generational thinking and living. Parents we can do it!
Next Week: Are group rights a threat?
Dinner Table Discussion Question: Discuss the three criteria for judging whether a proclaimed right is truly a right. This is similar to describing wants versus needs.