Privilege

“For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.” Philippians 1:29

I have moved over thirty times in my life and have lived in five different states. One thing I have never been afraid of is change. But change isn’t always easy. Because of all the moving, I don’t have a hometown or a group of friends I grew up with, but I have had the privilege of many unique life experiences. Those experiences have made me the person I am today. Change is a privilege that has its rewards, but it comes at a price.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that “anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” If you belong to Christ, you are not the same person you once were. You have the privilege of being changed into a new person, but that change comes at a price. That price might mean losing a few friends, or it might mean suffering for the sake of Christ. Paul calls such suffering a privilege. 

It is a privilege to trust in Christ, but also a privilege to suffer for him. In the book of Acts, the disciples were arrested for teaching about Jesus. Although the high council wanted to kill them, they decided to have them flogged and to release them instead. Acts 5:41 says, they “left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.”

If you suffer for the sake of Christ, it is because you have been counted worthy. And you are in good company. 1 Peter 3:14 says, “But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it.” Suffering for Christ is a privilege. It comes at a price, but it will reap a reward.