Privilege
Text: Romans 5:1-2
Theme: We have peace, place and privilege we don’t deserve.
Key verses: “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight of faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory” (v. 1-2).
What God said to me: You really don’t get it, do you, Dwayne? You really have no firm idea and concept of how much I have done for you, how much my Son suffered and bleed and died for you, and what that means for you now? How you can turn on a dime against me and do whatever you want amazes even me. I love you with an everlasting love and my mercies are new every morning, but that is no excuse for you to ever live and do and act and think as you want. You have been made right in my sight. You didn’t make yourself right. You have peace now. You’ve had peace with me for so long, peace that you are my child and guaranteed heaven; It’s like you’ve forgotten what it felt like when you didn’t have that peace. I have seated you in heavenly places in Christ Jesus my Son and blessed you with every spiritual blessing. You stand in a place of forgiveness, wholeness, completeness. Surely you can see the privilege you enjoy in that? Surely you are driven to your knees in gratefulness and worship. To be confident and joyful for the glory that is coming your way, the lifting up when you appear with me in glory, the absolute grace and grandeur you will experience in my presence forever and ever–surely to goodness, you want to live every minute of every day for me. No time to let off the gas, no time to let your guard down, Dwayne. Walk in my truth. Walk in my grace. Stand in your place of underserved privilege, and never forget it is both underserved and a precious privilege.
What I said to God: Woe is me, for I am undone. Please cleanse me, Lord, of my sins. Please help me stand in Your grace alone. Help me follow You closely and humbly and determinedly. Forgive me when I forget what a privilege I have been given to know You, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Help me and my family and our NLW team and community all remember today the grace by which we stand and the place of underserved privilege to which we have been called. Help us thank You and praise You with our lives for Your amazing gift of peace, place and privilege.