We have been hearing quite a lot about “rights,” which is not news.  We seem to all want our “rights.”

This morning and last evening I saw pictures in my news feed showing people lined up blocking paths of an Interstate. This behavior has happened in at least three places throughout the country, and it got me to thinking.  Is this how any of us would want to be treated?  Would we want someone to prevent us from getting to work, picking up a loved one, helping a loved one, taking a loved one to the hospital, delivering food to communities, helping someone in an emergency, wreck, or robbery?  Is it all about us?

“Our “rights end where another’s begin.”

There is is a much larger problem here and it has to do with the heart.

“Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”      Proverbs 4:23

“Have you not read?”     Matthew 19:4

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all they strength:  this is the first commandment.  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  There is none other commandment greater than these.”      Mark 12:30-31

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it.  Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”      Matthew 22:37-40

“And He answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind;  and thy neighbour as thyself.”    Luke 10:27

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”   I John 4:11

“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself:  I Am the Lord.”    Leviticus 19:18

There are numerous passages which speak of loving God and our fellowman.  In light of what He has to say, can anyone rightly question how we are to treat one another?

Blocking your neighbor’s path is not found in the Bible.  Treating our neighbor how we would like to be treated is.

“Therefore, all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them:  for this is the law and the prophets.”     Matthew 7:12

“People need to learn their actions affect other people.  Be careful what you say and do, it’s not always about you.”     ~ Unknown

“By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one to another.”      John 13:35

“But not all will choose the correct way.  Of course, every man has a right to his rights – though they are wrongs – unless they hurt others.  But his having this privilege settles nothing, other than his claim to personal freedom.  For no question is ever answered until it is answered right.”      ~ Leroy Brownlow

Eileen Light