The Privilege

Is privilege different from entitlement?

Yes, in what will be discussed here.

Privilege refers to what we have because of what has been done for us by Someone else.

Entitlement speaks of what we believe we deserve because of who we are.

We have the privilege to get a job and work for our daily bread that God the Father gives. Matthew 6:11; Acts 18:1-3; 20:33-35; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9

Someone else could also find a job and get paid to take care of themselves financially but instead panhandles [begs] or steals to get money. Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

"Come on, do the right thing!" a beggar shouted.

This was said to someone who walked to and from a neighborhood pharmacy.

They were approached on the trip there and asked,

"Do you have some money?"

Then on the trip back home they were again confronted by the same beggar who had been walking up and down the street, it seemed.

The beggar looked healthy physically, NOT missing any limbs, eyesight, nor hearing.

"Come on, do the right thing" phrase seemed to imply that to NOT give money to the beggar was failing to do the proper thing, that is, give money to a beggar.

Did the beggar believe that they were entitled to receive free money from others?

If so, was this because they believed that others who had money should automatically give some of it unconditionally to strangers who asked for it?

"Are you going to wash my car for this money?"

"Are you going to polish my shoes for this money?"

"Are you going to cut my lawn for this money?"

"Are you going to pull weeds in my yard for this money?"

"No," would most likely have been the answer to these questions had they been asked.

Do you believe, think, or feel that you are entitled to provisions, protection, or promises for a good present and future?

KNOW YOURSELF

We can be blind spiritually to divine truth about ourselves. John 9:39-41; Revelation 3:17

We may think that we're special and in need of nothing that we can't obtain with OUR own skills and determination.

In a sense, we can create a world for ourselves and many do. Luke 12:16-21

Spiritually speaking though, Paul said,

"For in Him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are His offspring.'" Acts 17:28

This is where "The Privilege" enters, which is beyond what we deserve.

The Bible says that we know that a list of sins are worthy of death and that some of us do them and take pleasure in others doing them. Romans 1:29-32

We can't escape this truth because all have sinned. Romans 3:23

THE PRIVILEGE

What has been done for us and continues to be performed, even though we don't deserve it, this is The Privilege.

It's NOT by what we have done or can do.

It's by and because of what has been and will be provided. Titus 3:4-7

Please sit back, relax, and enjoy the comfort of the following words as you bask in The Privilege.

But to all who did receive Him [Lord Jesus Christ], to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God. John 1:12-13

But because of His great love for us, God, Who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses.

It is by grace [undeserved and unearned favor] you have been saved!

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7

The Lord is good to all;

His compassion rests on all He has made. Psalm 145:9

I [Jesus] will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,

not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Matthew 10:30

Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said:

"Never will I leave you,

never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Everyone the Father gives Me [Jesus] will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away. John 6:37

We can rest in His shadow, receive His deliverance and protection from evil, call to Him and He will answer, have His presence if we're in trouble, receive His honor and long life as He shows us His salvation. Psalm 91:1, 14-16

We can thank Him because He forgives all of our sins, heals all of our diseases, delivers us from destruction, crowns us with glory and honor [His loving devotion and compassion], satisfies us with good things so that our youth is renewed like an eagle's, and executes righteousness and justice if we're oppressed. Psalm 103:1-6; Matthew 8:16-17; Acts 10:38; 1 Peter 2:24

He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? Romans 8:32

Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26

So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

MAKE THE PRIVILEGE YOURS

We each can know the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ personally. John 6:35, 51, 53-58, 63; 8:19; John 14:8-10, 23; Hebrews 8:11-12

Jesus is the fullness of divine life in a body. Philippians 2:5-7; Colossians 2:8-9; Hebrews 1:1-3

He gave that body, shed His blood to die on a cross, and was resurrected from the dead so that we can live a new life, being born again spiritually through Him. Luke 22:19-20; John 3:3-7, 16-17; Romans 5:1-2; 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 15:3-8; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 10:5-10

Why wait to get The Privilege?

As God's fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.

For He says:

"In the time of favor I heard you,

and in the day of salvation I helped you."

Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation! 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

As Peter proclaimed,

God has made this same Jesus both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:36

Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name. Acts 10:43

When Peter walked on water to go to Jesus but then doubted and began to sink, he cried out,

"Lord, save me!" Matthew 14:28-30

Jesus took Peter by his hand and rescued him. Matthew 14:31-32

Jesus can do the same for you and me.

Your thoughts?

R. Jason