What do you consider a privilege in your life? Do you consider it a privilege to be able to choose your job? Do you consider it a privilege to be able to travel? Do you consider it a privilege to vote in elections? Do you consider it a privilege to believe in Jesus Christ?
We live in a privileged society. Far too often, what is a privilege has been interpreted to be an entitlement. We are not entitled to a job but are given the privilege of seeking a job we desire. We are not entitled to vote in elections but are granted the privilege to vote.
Traveling to see wondrous sights across our country or foreign lands has become so common that some have turned them into entitlements. Sure, they know they must pay for those trips, but they still see them as entitlements. They feel they are entitled to make the money to afford to make those trips. There are places in this world where travel is restricted.
Paul tells the Philippian church they are privileged to believe in Christ. I’m willing to bet that most of us have never considered it a privilege. In fact, I suspect most of us took it to be a right of ours to believe in Him. Our country’s constitution and laws have provided it as a right to us. However, it is not the same in other countries of this world. In many, it is a crime to be a Christian rather than the national religion.
We live privileged lives. Far too often we do not recognize it as such. We complain when what was a privilege is taken away. Perhaps we should take advantage of the privilege we have to believe in Jesus. It just might be in our own best interest to share that belief with others and convince them to believe. It would certainly be in the best interest of the person who doesn’t currently believe to come to belief.
I pray we all realize that believing in Jesus is a privilege. I pray we share that privilege with others. I pray each one of us will seek to convince others to believe in Jesus. Know the difference between privilege and entitlement. Take advantage of the privilege to believe in Jesus. Seek to share that privilege with others.
Philippians 1:29-30 For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well—since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Marty Pressey 