Vertical vs. Horizontal Rights

A friend of mine had a propensity to shut anyone down who would make a claim on their rights. If they asked, “What about my rights?” his response was, “You have no rights.”

On the one hand, he was making a valid point. Man is sinful, and he has no standing, or rights, before God—vertical rights. That's why we need the Gospel.

On the other hand, man does and should have rights before his fellow man, fellow sinners—horizontal rights.

Even though we are sinful, God gave us rights.

I love Romans 14:4. Paul wrote:

Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.