Romans 1:2-5 (NLT)
God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
As citizens of the United States, we are granted certain rights by the Constitution. These rights were detailed by the founding fathers of this great nation. When becoming affiliated with certain organizations, there are privileges delineated in the bylaws that explain the rights and responsibilities of each member. If you are a student in the United States, you are covered by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. If you are a patient in a medical facility, there is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act as well as the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005. Most people do not even realize their rights and responsibilities of associations because they never take the time to know and understand them. When going to your doctor or being admitted to the hospital, you are given a form to sign indicating that you are aware of the HIPAA and know your rights associated with this act. Most people sign it without ever knowing these rights or privileges. People have certain privileges and access to many services associated with the companies they do business with each and every day but do not take advantage of them because they are not informed. I have news for you today, friend. As a believer, you have been given great privileges and authority that is your God-Given right through Jesus Christ. You don’t have to work for it just live for the Kingdom of God. Many Christians do not take the time to know and understand the rights and responsibilities of the Kingdom of God detailed in His Word and ministered by His Spirit. If they did there would be testimonies of great miracles and many revivals breaking out in the Body of Christ, rather than sad stories of defeat and despair. God promised Good News! His Name is Jesus Christ. You have certain rights as a Child of God and it is high time you started living like it. We are of a royal bloodline naturally and spiritually. This life of privilege is not for everyone only Children of King Jesus. What good news comes from our downfall? None. Where is the glory in our failure? There is none. It would only seem logical then as Children of God that we have certain privileges that we are not taking full advantage of and maybe it is time to get to know them.
Privilege is the right, immunity or benefit enjoyed by a person beyond the advantage of most. It is granted under certain conditions. As a believer, this applies to you and I. We have privileges and rights that belong to us yet go unclaimed every day. It is our responsibility to know our rights and live in the conditions required to receive them. For example, my husband has a gym membership that allows him to bring a guest with him. However, there are certain conditions that must be observed to do so. As a member, he has an identification card that he simply presents at the front desk. The nonmember must bring one form of identification. They must sign at the front desk and sign out. There are additional steps required for the nonmember in order to enter the gym. Without following these steps, the member cannot bring their guest to the gym. Many people want the privilege of being Children of God but do not want to live as one. They desire the blessings and promises but refuse to live in such a way to receive it. Some know nothing of the extraordinary, supernatural benefits of being a Christian so they merely survive until entering Eternity missing out on all the privileges God has in store for them. It is your right as a Christian who believes in Jesus Christ to live in the Presence of God receiving every promise and blessing He holds there for you but you have a responsibility to be a Child of God.
Romans 12:1-3 (NLT)
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
I shudder to think of all the unclaimed promises and blessings that are left behind in our disobedience and stubbornness when it comes to living God’s Way. We are called to be living and holy sacrifices giving all that we are to the Father, but we overestimate what we have to offer and underestimate the life God has reserved for us. For some reason, we think that there is a comparison when there is not. So instead of living holy and righteous lives in unison with the Lord, we choose to follow the customs of this world that is until we are face down in failure than we reach out for faith. At the end of our rope, we accept His Power, Mercy and Strength. News Flash: All power and authority is our privilege as Children of God. We didn’t have to come to the end of ourselves to obtain these things. They are the right of every individual who is called by Jesus Christ. The only thing stopping you from living in the Presence of God is you. Jesus Christ is the Way…the ONLY WAY. You cannot have God’s Best your way. You cannot have the Privileges of the Kingdom being a resident of this world. We must strive to know the Will of God concerning our lives and live according the rights and responsibilities of His Kingdom settling for nothing less.
Romans 5:1-5 (NLT)
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by 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. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Waiting used to be the bane of my existence. Filled with impatience, I would get mad whenever I had to wait for something. Waiting produces endurance which is an important part of developing confident hope that is absolutely necessary for salvation. It is our responsibility when it comes to God’s Way as we wait for the Lord to finish the work that He has begun in our life. The last couple of years, let’s just say that I have learned to wait and endure beyond anything that I ever thought possible. When faced with another wait time, it doesn’t make me mad anymore – all I can do is laugh. It could be hysterical laughter who knows but it beats being frustrated all the time. I have been made right in God’s sight by putting my faith and trust in Him. This ends my contribution to the Plan of God for my life. I cannot make Him go faster or slow down. I cannot force His Hand or change His Mind. All I can do is wait for Him, it is my privilege to do so whether I see it that way or not and the only way to have the Plan of God and His Best in my life. I can do this when my faith becomes confident hope that what the Lord has to offer is better than what I could ever do in my life. But how do I find this place in my life?
Psalm 119:25-32 (NLT)
I lie in the dust; revive me by your word. I told you my plans, and you answered. Now teach me your decrees. Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word. Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions. I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations. I cling to your laws. LORD, don’t let me be put to shame! I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding.
You must know your rights and responsibilities as a Child of God. Children are taught about the Constitution and American Government in school, but we banned Jesus and His Word from the classroom. No longer can we rely on others to teach us or our children for that matter about God. He is being pushed out of our country more and more day by day. We must seek the Word of God to find the Way of God. We must call on His Name and wait for His Response. We are personally responsible for taking the time to discover His Commands and expand our understanding of who the Lord is and what He wants to do in our life. We must do it His Way. We find His Way in His Word.
Isaiah 61:1-7 (NLT)
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations. Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards. You will be called priests of the LORD, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches. Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land and everlasting joy will be yours.
When Jesus Christ died and rose again, He released His Spirit to all mankind. The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on all who call upon the Name of Jesus Christ to be saved. If that is you, this is a brief description of your rights as a believer. If you are not experiencing the benefits of your salvation, then it is time to dig a little deeper to discover your rights and responsibilities as a Child of God and live them today. Good news brings Glory to God! Your redemption, restoration and renewal as you prosper brings honor to His Great Name. If you are not living that way, something is wrong. Life is amiss. Line up your life with the Word of God and watch out! Things will begin to shift and change dramatically as you begin to experience fulfillment in your life today. This is your inheritance as a Child of God simply because you belong to Jesus Christ. “And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.” (Ephesians 3:6-7)
Philippians 1:28-29 (NLT)
Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.
It is important to know the Plan of God for our life so that we can keep focused as our life lines up with God’s Purpose. The enemy uses every tactic that he can to cause us to give up. He will try to dissuade you, distract you and detour you every step of the way. If you don’t understand your rights as a believer, you will fall for it every time settling for substitutions and compromises that keep you from the Privileged Promises of God for your life. You can have less but why not wait for it all? You just have to know your rights as a believer. Job did. (Job 34:4-6) He made it to the end of his trial and received a double portion blessing from God. How far will you go to have God’s Very Best? Make it a point to know your rights as a believer and enjoy every single one. Do not settle for less than God’s Best because you don’t have to but you may have to wait for a little while. Dissatisfaction is your heart’s response to anything less than what Eternity holds. Be satisfied today. Live in the privilege of God found only in His Presence!
Romans 8:22-24(NLT)
For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it.
Pure Devotion 