There is much talk these days about “privilege.” While this word has been in the English language for hundreds of years, it is being wielded in order to divide this country along economic and racial lines. But, no matter what monetary or societal privilege a group of people may or may not have in this world, nothing compares to the privilege of being a Christian. No matter what skin color you have, what neighborhood you grew up in, or what schools you went to, Jesus Christ has offered every soul the ultimate privilege: salvation.
In Deuteronomy 33, Israel is getting ready to enter the Promised Land. Here, Moses gives his blessings to Israel just before leaving to die on Mount Nebo. He tells the people in verse 29, “Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty!”
Israel had been through a lot in the forty years leading up to this point. Over and over, God provided food, protection and favor to the children of Israel. But over and over, Israel complained, sinned and blasphemed their God. In no way did they deserve God’s protection, but He saved them anyway. Moses tells His people that no nation in the entire world is as privileged as them. Why? Because God chose to save them, and they did not do a thing to deserve it.
In the world, mercy like this does not exist. Any mistake you or your ancestors may have made can and will be used to “cancel” you. Instead of intellect or education, it is the color of your skin or your gender that determines whether or not you are allowed to speak in public discourse. This is retribution against those born into “privilege.” The world has no place for mercy. All the world knows is revenge.
But God is infinitely merciful. He does not hold a grudge like the world. Through the sacrifice of His Son, God extended salvation to every man and woman, no matter where they come from. What greater privilege is there? Just like Israel, not one of us did anything to deserve His grace, yet He offers us salvation freely (Eph 2:8-9). “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8).
The world does not understand what it means to be privileged. Only those who have received God’s mercy can. No matter what disadvantages we are born into or what struggles we have endured, God has made everyone equal through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Anyone who repents and is baptized in the name of Jesus will be saved (Acts 2:38) and welcomed into the eternal kingdom of the Lord. Thanks be to God for the ultimate privilege of salvation. How happy I am that I have been saved by the Lord.