Sometimes the line between rights and expectations gets a little blurry. There is now plenty of debate about the right to bear arms. The two warring factions on this subject haven’t even waited for the funerals to finish before they are at each others throats. What is at the heart of the flame and fury is a battle over the right to bear arms. It may not be a right but it is a reasonable expectation to believe going to church, a shopping mall or a concert should not be risky choices. You go with your family to church expecting to return, but for 25 innocent people last Sunday that didn’t happen.

There is no solution able to create a perfect society but Jesus is quite clear about His expectations for His children. We are to love even when it is dangerous to do so. We are to give even when nothing is given to us in return. We are to believe fearlessly even when the world tells us we have no right to do so. We do all these in faith because God has a right to our lives and we have the great expectation that He will freely forgive our sins and welcome us home to heaven!

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:44-45