Are We Willing To Walk Away?

Privilege makes us comfortable. It makes life easier. 

Sometimes, we tend to think that it’s our privilege that shows others who God is. We say we are blessed with…a home, our health, resources, a family, freedom, being a citizen of a certain country, etc...All good things and things we are thankful to have.

But the word “blessed," by definition, is saying that we are shown divine favor by having these things. Therefore, "blessings" are what we consider privilege in our lives based on divine favor.

Jesus, however, gave a totally different perspective of being blessed in the book of Matthew. It is a perspective that is very contrary to our culture.

 "And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

  Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

  Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

  Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

  Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of                 heaven.

  Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you   falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they   persecuted the prophets who were before you.”          - Matthew 5:3-12

We look at our lives as being blessed when we are in a state of satisfaction. A state of fulfillment.

Jesus speaks of our lives being blessed when we are in a state of longing. A state of need. 

Those are different, aren’t they?

When you look at people in the New Testament who followed Jesus, they were imprisoned, tortured, killed, homeless, poor, reviled, and ostracized. Why would we expect our lives to look different, especially considering the way Jesus himself lived? Why do we consider it divine favor that we retain privilege?

Paul was willing to walk away from any advantage he had for something better.

Philippians 3:8 tells us that what was of surpassing worth to him was knowing Christ. And later, in verse 10 Paul tells us that true gain is knowing Him and the power of His resurrection.

He was willing to walk away from his advantage because his priorities had changed. His mind was set not on earthly things, but on Kingdom things.

And because of that, knowing Christ became the ultimate blessing.

Knowing God became of surpassing worth and value because his focus shifted from worldly gain to Kingdom reign.

What about us?

Are we willing to walk away from our special rights and advantages for the sake of knowing Him? Are we willing to give up our privilege?

It is a difficult question to answer.

In the end, it comes down to what is most important. What is our mind set on? What is our focus?

Are we willing to let our life and our prayer be “Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice?” – Philippians 1:18

Can we walk away from privilege for the sake of Christ?

Will we?