1. Christians should realize, no matter what the state says or does, we can live as free in Christ. This allows us to calmly love God and serve others even when the state is in opposition. We must show honor to our authorities and in every case reflect that in our speech.

1 Peter 2:16-17 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

On this point I am constantly reminded of Daniel. He had lost all rights as an Israelite in captivity, and yet in serving under one of the most powerful tyrants of history, Daniel would approach Nebuchadnezzar by saying, “O King, live forever.” (Dan. 6:21).

2. Christians are to be subject to our authorities even when they are unjust and be willing to endure suffering. This means, without grumbling or sewing discord.

1 Peter 2:18-19 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.’

Romans 13:1-2, 6-7 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. ... 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

3. We need to actually love those we cannot agree with and even those who may want to hurt us. This should be evident in our lives and speech.

Matthew 5:43-44, 46-47 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ... 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

4. We must be careful to recognize that our tongue will easily represent our evil heart. Any individual in authority we speak about is created in the image of God and must be spoken about with great respect.

James 3:8-9 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

5. There are no special dispensations for Christians to ignore the fruit of the Spirit. These are the very character attributes of God who lives within us.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

6. Our consciences are not clear because we make a good defense but because we did so with gentleness and respect as pointing to Christ and honoring him.

1 Peter 3:14-16 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

7. We need not speak with a fearful tone or have anxious rhetoric because our constitutional rights are in threat. We are in the care of our God who is sovereign over every matter from the least to greatest.

Matthew 10:28-30 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

8. An eternal perspective of our eternal home will help us to balance out the real importance of our perceived earthly rights being taken away. We don’t need to speak as if losing a constitutional right takes away our very life.

Philippians 3:18-21 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

9. With right perspective we calmly know that opponents of God live in uncertainty and face judgment in an instant. We should care more about their souls.

Psalm 73:18-20 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. 19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! 20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.

10. Ultimately there are only two really important rights to know about. The right to eternal judgment for all humans, and the right to be children of God for those who believe in Christ. These should be the main two rights that Christians show they are most concerned about. If these are not the priority rights you are speaking about, you need a new priority.

John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.