Thought for today

Living Beneath Our Privileges

A little over six hundred years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Jeremiah came upon the scene in Judah. God’s people had abandoned loyalty to Him and were on the verge of being completely carried away into captivity due to their sins (Jeremiah 25:8-14; Deuteronomy 28:63-64). Through the prophet Jeremiah, Jehovah begged His people to return to Him but they would not (Jeremiah 4:3-4; Jeremiah 6:16). He gave them plenty of time to repent before sending the armies of Nebuchadnezzar for destruction, yet they refused to heed (Jeremiah 5:21). Those of Judah had the privilege of serving the Almighty God but they chose rather to live below their privileges. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet cried out, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20). Then, he asked a haunting question, “Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people” (Jeremiah 8:22).

Jeremiah’s point was simply this: To be sin sick before Jehovah made no sense at all. The opportunity to repent was there and to ignore it was the same as a diseased man refusing balm in Gilead, a territory known for its medicinal remedies. We marvel that Judah would live below her privileges and that she did not take advantage of the opportunities she had. However, do not many do the same today? Let us consider the following thoughts:

1) There is saving power in the gospel (Mark 2:17; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 John 2:2). However, many refuse to obey the gospel and find healing for their sin sick souls (Romans 10:16; cf. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30; Romans 10:9-10; Romans 10:17).

2) There is enabling power in the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:18; cf. Acts 20:32; Romans 1:16; James 1:21,22; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Despite this truth, there are those who are spiritually weak and powerless because they do not avail themselves of the word of God (2 Timothy 2:15; Matthew 4:4; 1 Peter 2:2).

3) There is focusing power in the gospel (Matthew 5:16; Matthew 6:33; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 1:21; Philippians 3:13-14). The gospel provides purpose for living, yet many live purposeless lives. The Christian is to glorify God in all that he does as he seeks to put the Kingdom absolutely first (Matthew 6:33). This mindset, motivated by the gospel, helps a man to carry out his true reason for living (Isaiah 43:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13).

4) There is fulfilling power in the gospel (John 10:10; Philippians 4:4-9; I Thessalonians 5:16). Christian living is abundant, joyous living. Yet many are unhappy and unfulfilled. Why is this? Because they have chosen to live beneath the privileges of the gospel.

Conclusion

Judah had every opportunity to be blessed by God (Deuteronomy 28:1-2), yet they chose the underprivileged path. When we choose not to serve the Lord with all of our “heart, soul, mind and strength” (Mark 12:30-31), we too choose to live beneath our privileges. Therefore, let us choose the path of spiritual riches found in Christ, where there is salvation, strength, purpose and happiness. “Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there?” (Jeremiah 8:22) To ask the question, is to answer the question.