Individual Rights – Individual Responsibility. Which is Greater?

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

Individual’s rights.

Individual’s responsibilities to others.

Which is greater? Which is more Christian? What happens when one’s individual rights are in conflict with one’s responsibility to the welfare of others? Which wins? Which value is greater?

It is impossible to read the New Testament and advocate for a position where individual’s rights usurps one’s responsibility for the welfare of others. It is IMPOSSIBLE!!!

Jesus made it clear:

• “Many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Mark 10:31).
• “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for man” (Mark 10:43-45).

The Apostle Paul made it clear:

• “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

Christians, the church ought to lead the way in placing the well-being of others. The church ought to lead the way in protecting the most vulnerable amongst us.

I too wish we could fellowship the way we used to. I too wish we could worship without our masks. I too wish we could open up the church fully to activities.

But the reality is that we have people in our church who are immuno-compromised, people who are medically unable to receive the vaccine, children who have not been vaccinated. Therefore, we will mask up even when most of us have been vaccinated. Why? Because that’s what Christ would have us to do.

It is impossible to read the New Testament and advocate for a position where individual’s rights usurps one’s responsibility for the welfare of others.

Let us all do our part to love and honor the most vulnerable in our midst. Thank you all for doing your part to share Christ’s love and grace with others.

God bless you!