“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” These are some of the most famous lines from the United States Declaration of Independence.

Rights! We in the states even call the first 10 Amendments to our Constitution our “Bill of Rights.”

Rights! Our student handbook at Pine Forest High School carried the title, “Students’ Rights and Responsibilities.” Where my son attends we sign a Student/Parent/School Compact that includes the Rights he has a a student.

I have rights! And according to the US Declaration of Independence, some of them come from God. Recently in our Wednesday Bible Studies we discussed one of our God-given rights: the privilege we have to talk directly to God in prayer.

As God’s child, I do not have to have a religious power, an ancestor, or a decease religious figure as a solicitor to God on my behalf. I can talk directly to God.

Consider these scriptures:

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:14-16)

So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Gal 3:24-29)

My gender, economic status, or ethnicity cannot and do not prevent my access to God. When I by faith put on Christ according to His plan (immersion into Him) than I am God’s child and can speak in the presence of God.

What a great God we serve!

– Scott