Rights, Privileges, and Responsibilities

Graduation is an end and a beginning, that special moment when one holds all the preparation of the degree in their hands with the anticipation of how it will be utilized. 

It is much the same 

with the gift of faith from God!

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.  God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-21

When a person graduates and receives an educational degree, 

the President of the University confers upon the graduates 

"all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities appertaining thereunto."  

In receiving that degree, the reality is that the graduate has almost no new rights nor privileges; however they do have a new status and with that the associated responsibilities that have been conferred.  At this moment of transfer, they are now challenged to live up to all the potential for which the degree has prepared them.

It is much the same when we receive the gift of faith.  

In the world around us we don’t have new rights or privileges; however, we do have a new status with God and the rights and privileges associated with the Kingdom of Heaven.  In the realm of the world, the person of faith doesn't have any new rights or privileges, but what she does have is the invitation and challenge of living up to the responsibilities of a person who is reconciled to God.  

God has called you and me to help others become reconciled to God also.

Paul implores us on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be son for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  

"Righteousness” is defined as “one who lives in accord with divine law.”  As we pray the Lord's Prayer, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven," we can recognize that it is the Lord who has entrusted us demonstrate God's mercy and grace in this world and communicate the Good News of salvation through Jesus' redeeming work on the cross.   

So, enjoy your new status and exercise your new responsibilities well!