For some reason the word “privilege” has fallen on hard times. It’s a beautiful word of Latin origin dating back over 700 years and meaning: “something regarded as a special honor.” In literature usage it hit its zenith in 1833 and has experienced gradual decline until about 25 years ago when activist Peggy McIntosh wrote a paper and coupled our word with “white” and “male” and the word began a rapid slide where it is now used with other nouns to evoke negative emotions toward a group that now has unwarranted and undeserved opportunities based solely on being a part of that group.
We are children of God. John says, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 John 3:1) This adoption, position and relationship is a PRIVILEGE, as the gospel of John says, “But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right (the privilege) to become children of God” (John 1:12) What a special honor it is to be a child of God! What are we doing with this privilege?