Privileged Living

Life is short, fragile, and mortal; yet it is a privilege bestowed upon us to live a life, just once. Some people enjoyed better living condition or status, making them appeared more privileged, while some people seems deterred by privilege. And it is true, privilege sans some people should they think so!

Privilege, by definition, is a special right and advantage, which was granted or available to a particular person or group. The privilege of a Christian is exemption from the impending punishment due to our sin and having special rights to called God as our Father. (Galatians 4:6)

Ten decades ago, the Gospel of Christ shed light to our community. We have become subject to the Authority of God through His son, Jesus Christ. The deceiving and alluring power of Satan may knock down few people but certain number of people enjoyed living the privileged life under the authority of God. (Ephesians 1:21)

Now, do you really felt privilege, living under the authority of God, the authority of Jesus is far above all rule and authority and power and dominion? Is maintaining abiding relationship with Jesus simply tiresome when you can perform part of the sacrifice by yourself? Let’s leave it here for us to think and answer.

Number of times I have come across some people who do not find the need for one man to sacrifice for all mankind when they can offer burnt offerings and sacrifices on their own. The sacrifice of the Son of God for atonement of our sins is abiding, should we put our faith and believe in His act of love, displayed on the Cross. For some, it is hard to trust one entity to work on them for nearing perfection.

But as for the believers, due to the great love the Father has lavished on us, I am one among the children of God. And that is what we are, our privilege! For the world who did not want to know Him, His act of love is in vain and foolishness. (1 John 3, 1 Cor. 1:25) It is not the question of affordability for sacrifices but the love which is shown. It is more about trusting on the Covenant, God made with mankind through His son, for this life and beyond.

Further, I agree that there are rituals we can perform on our own. However, it is beyond that. I don’t know why you become follower of Christ but it is a privilege living, riding on the sacrifice of Christ which liberated us.
We can love Him because He first loved us! I am privileged because Jesus loved me. Not only did He love; He saved me. Not only did He save; He cares for me! It is #JesusPrevilegedMe.

Privileged Companionship:

In sickness and in health, in poverty and riches, we have the privilege of walking with Jesus. Further still, when we cannot walk and slumbering in insecurity, He sits and chats with us. The Lord is our refuge and our strength. It is safe being with Him. (Read Psalms 23 and 91 for more)

Waking up inside the walled Intensive Care Unit, the beeping sounds of life supporting machines grew loud and wild. My heart raced and the mind roamed, although with blurry memories, due to my unprecedented health failure and beyond. There in the wilderness, my privileged companionship comforted the heart for a while. For a while, I say it, because while in the wilderness our mind’s loses its normal functioning.

As a pilgrim in progress, the compassion of Christ trimmed my loneliness and helplessness. It gave me a privilege of whispering to Him, sometimes in my choked voice, which gave hope in the temporary shelter of life. (Matthew 28:20b, Acts 16:25)

Privileged Suffering:

Suffering is and never was easy to endure. But with Christ, it becomes a school of learning the way of trusting more in His authority. There are many who graduated from the School of Suffering, where even the Biblical Job graduated. (Job 31) And it leads them to live a more privilege life than before.

Yet without Jesus, it’s just a pain sans the privilege that simply deteriorated the body and soul. In the interim, we talked more, we think about God more often than we did in our normal life. In that way, it becomes the necessary evil which led us to discover more of the privilege we are bestowed in Christ.

As we headed for destruction or our mortality to take over our breath, we have the privilege of choosing the lighter yoke. The lighter yoke is being offered by Jesus to us the weary traveler. (Matthew 11:29) The more the questions we wanted ask Him the closer we rallied to Him, in His abiding grace. In my suffering, it’s #JesusPrivilegedMe being Him with me as it happened for a purpose.

Privileged Detours:

Nothing in the world is constant; it appears and disappears. Sad but true, our existence is also included. We plan a life; have a dream, and on-course to achieving it. Just then detours, although not permanent, usually take over the wheel.

The Israelites are lost in the wilderness for forty years before stumping their feet on the Promised Land. Joseph’s detours, in the pit and prison cell, before becoming the savior of his family during the famine, are necessary detours. It wouldn’t be easy to endure treading real time detours. (Genesis 37)

The most important to be noted here is that with Jesus Christ our adversities are no more constant. They are the necessary fluctuations of life. We have the privilege of having Jesus as our anchor, in these moments, so that we wouldn’t get lost in the sea of life. It’s #JesusPrivilegedMe as detours in life are not forever.

Privileged Rewards:

Our needs are rewarded through our simple prayers. The God who feed the sparrows, without them sowing a single seed, is our God. In His abiding grace, our God rewarded each man and women according to our needs. (Matthew 10:29-32) It’s #JesusPrivilegedMe as I am under the authority of Him.

In our unlimited wants, however, we desire for more and never get contented. Our loving God channelized our needs, and their sources, beyond the thought of our mind. Some work hard in the night, while we sleep peacefully, so that we will be getting our daily necessities. In His authority, he commanded everything for the goodness of us.

Privileged Intercession:

We talked about the joy of having the liberty of talking to God, wherever and whenever, we wanted to. In reality, it is possible because we have the Holy Spirit, through the work of Christ, who intercedes for us.

The Spirit helps in our weaknesses. We do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered, according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27) In our privilege living, we speak our mind to the Lord as we deemed fit. It’s #JesusPrivilegedMe because the Holy Spirit intercedes for me.

Unchanging Amount of Privilege:

The privilege we have in Jesus Christ is never-changing, as He never changes. Yesterday, today, and forever Jesus is the same. The love of God, poured out through His son Jesus Christ, never fluctuates. Nothing can deter us from our son-ship, once we abide in Him.

Every year Forbes richest lists are released. This year Jeff Bezos, from Amazon Inc., topped the ranking. In the next few days, the volatile market played its role, which makes him lose some million. Although he still retained his first position, further fluctuations in his market shares could prove detrimental.

However, in the case of enjoying the privilege of God’s love, the love that comes from Him never fluctuates. If the love of God is anything like that can end or fluctuates depending on applied terms and conditions, it would reach me no more. Do you think, even without Jesus, your life or the fate of yours would be pretty much the same?

#JesusPrivilegedMe:

Now the lists can go on and on. You can add more and inspire more. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore, I hope in Him”. And it’s an unending privilege in everything not simply on the blessings or good part. A privileged living may fall yet it would rise again. (Psalms 119:57, Lamentations 3:24)

Looking back at my life, I have come across hurdles due to poverty, poor health, bad decisions, detours, some private failure which I don’t want to disclose as yet, and many more. But through the love of Christ, I felt privilege to live a privilege life.

Do you really think it’s a privilege knowing and following Christ, even when God doesn’t make any sense? If so, let’s start a campaign together using the hash tag, #JesusPrivilegedMe, acknowledging our privileges to follow and chose Jesus. Hoping and trusting in Him to turn our adversities into privilege. I may not be the right person to start this campaign, but since I feel indebted to Jesus, I started here.

Should you feel like adding or reiterating the Privilege Jesus Christ bestowed upon you, please feel free to drop a word or two, or your privilege in the comments section below.

Please feel free to share this, in helping people appreciate the privilege of being valued and loved, we have in Christ Jesus. God bless you!

(Remember to use the tag #JesusPrivilegedMe in your comments or sharing.)