Privilege

        The good news is gladly received by those who feel  their need of Jesus Christ the Lord. For those who believe on His name, the promises of Holy Scripture are vibrant with blessing. E.g. 

“ to as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God”  John 1.12

More than accepted as children, this is to actually become heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ!  Romans 8

        But the burden from Luke 10, that is pressing my spirit with grief, is the problem of people privileged to hear the good news, but refuse to receive  the Lord Jesus. It is so common in our western society for children and adults to hear the gospel, but choose to turn away to other things or other people. In some countries, where affluence is not so great there seems to be a greater thirst for the salvation and blessing of the gospel.

     In Luke chapter ten, the Lord Jesus spells out very clearly that privilege brings added responsibility. The present effect is, by refusing the good news, many others , in particular children are led away from Christ. The eternal effect is final accountability to God – the added terror and punishment for light refused. Let me quote from the loving Saviour: “ the truth is, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on the judgement day”  Luke 10:12. To confirm the individual accountability, the word of God says:  “They are all judged according to their deeds”  Revelation 20:13.

        For the many, many people who think – ‘well I can choose, I can do as I please’   - the answer of the Lord is resoundingly clear.  

                “Anyone who rejects you is rejecting Me, and anyone who rejects Me, is rejecting God who sent Me!”  Luke 10.16

To reject God as creator has consequences bad enough, but to reject God as the redeemer is the ultimate insult, saying no to God’s love, mercy and grace. The ultimate loneliness resulting from such a response is intense, leading to the spiritual torment  uttered by Abraham to one lost man in hell  - “son remember.....”   Luke 16

The Lord Jesus came to the privileged city of Jerusalem Luke 13.34, and He who could have brought deliverance and peace to His people, wept tears of grief because He knew their evil hearts of unbelief. Soon they  would say “away with Him, we will not have this man to reign  over us” -  the rest is history – the temple destroyed, the city destroyed, the people scattered, hated and persecuted. All because of the light refused, the light of the world cast out.

Let us search our hearts today –

                           ‘what is my response to the light of the good news?’

The Lord Jesus said  “ I am come a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in Me will no longer remain in the darkness.”  John 12:46

You who know the Lord - let your light shine brightly for the glory  of our Lord.

John McKee