Privilege
"Rank has its
privileges.” This expression reveals
that those with special honor have rights others may not have. Some synonyms of privilege are: honor, treat, pleasure, joy, source of pride,
freedom, license, and opportunity. The
main meaning of the word privilege is this, “A special advantage, immunity,
permission, right, or benefit granted to or enjoyed by an individual, class, or
caste . . . . b. Such an advantage, immunity, or right held as a prerogative of
status or rank, and exercised to the exclusion or detriment of others.[1]
One possible challenge that comes from privilege is the arrogance people
presume to have because of something that they did not “earn.”
If there was a nation that could believe in their rank and privilege it would have been Israel of old. They were God’s chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6). They were to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6). But did they earn this privilege or was it given to them? The fact is that God wanted them to know that their privilege was given to them and they did not receive it by their personal righteousness. “Do not say in your heart . . . ‘It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to possess this land’ . . .” (Deuteronomy 9:5; cf. 9:1-12; 7:6ff). God wanted them to know that they are to remain humbled in their privilege (Deuteronomy 9-11).
A Christian’s privilege before God is not by our own personal righteousness either (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christians are God’s new “chosen people” by His grace (Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; James 2:5; 1 Peter 2:9). In fact, as Israel was to be used by God as a light to the nations; so, Christians are now a light to the nations today (Matthew 5:14-16; Ephesians 5:8-13; Philippians 2:15-16). We seek others who want this privilege as well (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38). Thank God that our privilege is not based on our personal righteousness. In fact, Christians receive advantage and immunity to our penalty of sins by the blood of Christ not by our own righteousness (Hebrews 9:12; 13:12; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5). We have the promises of eternal life (John 3:16; Acts 13:48-49; Romans 5:21; 1 John 5:13). But this blessing of eternal life through Jesus, the Son of God, is not meant for just a few but all people who truly seek Christ – talk about privilege. Let’s seek out others who can also benefit from the only privilege that counts – relationship with Jesus Christ. And He will give privilege to all who obey Him, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life [privilege]; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him [no privilege] (John 3:36).
The Lord’s humbled . . . John A. Reeves
www.thelordshumbled.com
[1] “TheFreeDictionary” by Farlex
If there was a nation that could believe in their rank and privilege it would have been Israel of old. They were God’s chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6). They were to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6). But did they earn this privilege or was it given to them? The fact is that God wanted them to know that their privilege was given to them and they did not receive it by their personal righteousness. “Do not say in your heart . . . ‘It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to possess this land’ . . .” (Deuteronomy 9:5; cf. 9:1-12; 7:6ff). God wanted them to know that they are to remain humbled in their privilege (Deuteronomy 9-11).
A Christian’s privilege before God is not by our own personal righteousness either (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christians are God’s new “chosen people” by His grace (Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; James 2:5; 1 Peter 2:9). In fact, as Israel was to be used by God as a light to the nations; so, Christians are now a light to the nations today (Matthew 5:14-16; Ephesians 5:8-13; Philippians 2:15-16). We seek others who want this privilege as well (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38). Thank God that our privilege is not based on our personal righteousness. In fact, Christians receive advantage and immunity to our penalty of sins by the blood of Christ not by our own righteousness (Hebrews 9:12; 13:12; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5). We have the promises of eternal life (John 3:16; Acts 13:48-49; Romans 5:21; 1 John 5:13). But this blessing of eternal life through Jesus, the Son of God, is not meant for just a few but all people who truly seek Christ – talk about privilege. Let’s seek out others who can also benefit from the only privilege that counts – relationship with Jesus Christ. And He will give privilege to all who obey Him, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life [privilege]; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him [no privilege] (John 3:36).
The Lord’s humbled . . . John A. Reeves
www.thelordshumbled.com
[1] “TheFreeDictionary” by Farlex
Published in the blog "The Lord's Humbled" on 11-19-14 in 2014
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