God Gives Duties, Not Rights!

By Pastor Butch Paugh

July 20, 2025

This God-revealed insight has been given to me gradually so my feeble mind could accept, understand, process and teach it to others. It is going to anger some and cause others to repent as I did, because of our ignorance of God’s Word!  It has taken me several years to grasp the precepts taught in God’s Word, that have been gradually displaced by man’s, perhaps, noble but misguided thoughts and ideals (Proverbs 14:12).  If you will bear with me long enough to read this essay and weigh the truths contained in it, I firmly believe that you will, at least, begin to understand my thoughts and reasoning.

To begin with, I want the reader to know that I am not questioning or doubting, at this point, the sincerity and well meaning of some of America’s founders.  That very well could be another topic for the future.

Let’s first look at the definitions of the words ‘rights’ and ‘duties’ in the 1828 Noah Webster’s dictionary.  It’s interesting to note that the word ‘right’ is far more in it’s true meaning than what we have been taught and led to believe.  In part, the definition of ‘right’ is first and foremost, “In morals and religion, just, equitable; according to the standard of truth and justice, or the will of God.”  It goes on to say, “Conformity to the will of God, or to His law, the perfect standard of truth and justice”. Then Webster adds, “Just claim; immunity; ‘privilege’.”  All men have a right (privilege from above) to the secure enjoyment of life, personal safety, liberty and property.”  This last definition is pretty much quoting the Declaration of Independence.  As Webster made clear in the definition of ‘rights’, as defined in Jefferson’s statement in the Declaration of Independence, a right can be interpreted as a privilege to be granted or denied by men, or surrendered by the people if not found worthy of fighting to maintain.

Now, let’s look at the word ‘duty’.  In part, “reverence, obedience and prayer to God are indispensable               duties. Forbearance of that which is forbid by morality, law, justice of propriety.  It is our duty to refrain from lewdness, intemperance, profaneness and injustice”. Let’s sum this definition up from God’s Word.  Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments:  for this is the whole duty of man.”

The ultimate authority that all nations, governments and men should obey is God’s laws, commandments and judgments.  Obviously, that is not being done!  But the fact that mankind, as a whole, doesn’t reverence and obey God does not excuse us, the “called out ones” in any way. If we have been “truly born again” people that profess to know God’s Word and yet we ignore the duties given us in His Word!  Know this Christians!  Disobedience to God’s law will bring dire consequences and ignorance of God’s law does not negate the consequences of our ignorance.  (Hosea 4:6)

Here are a couple of examples that I think will help us understand the fact that no matter how sincere man may be in his intentions, to proclaim a truth many times not using the correct words can make a huge difference for future generations.

The Second Amendment in what we call The Bill of Rights makes the statement that “the right (privilege, by definition) of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”  Even though we have been clearly told that this is an unalienable right that can never be taken or surrendered, obviously both the government and the people do not understand this or simply do not care enough to protect it!  While it’s definitely a fact that a duty can be ignored also, it is a much more understandable word to express the seriousness of neglecting our responsibilities.

As stated earlier, our ultimate duty is to obey God only!  So what does this have to do with The Second Amendment you may ask?  Everything!  God’s commanded His people to be armed! It is a duty, not a right! (Exodus 20:22, Nehemiah 4:17-18, Psalm 144:1-15, I Samuel 25:13, Numbers 1)  In Luke 22:36 Christ commands His disciples to arm themselves!

To finish this teaching, let’s do a brief summary of our duties.  We have a God given duty to speak His Word, travel, work, protect, teach, disciple and much more in order to fulfill the mandates given to His people!  To fulfill Genesis 1:27-28 and 3:19, Ephesians 4:28, Matthew 28:19-20 and Luke 22:36, we must do all the necessary things listed above without needing man’s permission!

So my final point is why do we ask, or need, man’s license i.e. permission to perform any of our God ordained duties?  So let me ask this in closing.  Are we committing a type of idolatry by asking man’s permission? Acts 5:29 is the foundation for the concept of the militia referenced in the Second Amendment!

In Christ’s services,

© 2025 Butch Paugh – All Rights Reserved

E-Mail Butch Paugh: [email protected]