You are surely familiar with the Miranda Law which requires police officers to recite certain basic rights to persons they are arresting. The familiar words go like this: "You have the right to remain silent; any statement you make can and will be used against you; you have the right to an attorney . . ."

We think that a set of "rights" could and should be set forth for all Christians in their dealings with one another. Consider these:

1. You have the right to the love of your fellow Christians. This is not just an emotional feeling, but a real concern for you that even puts your needs above their own (Jn. 13:35; 1 Jn. 4:21).
   
2. You have a right to the sacrificial service that others can provide when you need it (Jn. 13:12-15); and you have the right to serve your brethren in return when you have the opportunity to do so (Mt. 23:11; Gal. 6:10).
   
3. You have the right to have your convictions respected by others (Rom. 14:21; 1 Cor. 8:10-13).
   
4. You have the right to know that no one will harshly judge you in an unrighteous way or impugn your motives (Mt. 7:1-5; Jn. 7:24).
   
5. You have the right to a confidence that other's will not gossip about you or maliciously slander you (Eph. 4:31).
   
6. You have the right to be the first one to know if others think you have done or said something wrong (Mt. 18:15-17).
   
7. You have the right to expect correction and instruction when you are in error (2 Tim. 4:2)
   
8. You have the right to be restored if you have fallen away into error (Gal. 6:1).
   
9. You have the right to disciplinary action by the whole church if it becomes necessary (2 Thess. 3:6,14,15).
   
10. You have the right to be forgiven when you repent and confess (James 5:16; Lk. 17:3,4).