Rights & Privileges!
Jesus was God’s Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. Hebrews 5:8
I must learn once and for all the differences between my rights and my privileges. To be called a “son of God” is my right because of what Jesus suffered on the cross of Calvery. (John 1:12), but the expression of that sonship is a privilege that I must earn. Even Jesus, the eternal Son of God, had to earn a better name than the angels (Hebrews 1:4). Sonship with God comes to me through my faith in Jesus Christ, but the glory of my sonship comes to me only when I am faithful to Him who called me and my calling.
How I love the “over-comings” of (Revelation 2 and 3). “To him who overcomes, “said Jesus to His followers, “I will give….” What wonderful blessings He grants and bestows on His servants: the tree of life, hidden manna, power over nations, open praise, a new name, and a throne of glory. And yet w\each of these is not given unconditionally; it is bestowed upon me as I overcome. The overcomer earns the privilege; and unless he does indeed earn it, none will be given, even though he is a son of God.
That is what I read about Jesus. “Therefore…God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name (Philippians 2:9). The glory that Jesus now enjoys is an earned glory, a glory that the Father bestowed upon Him only after He made Himself of no reputation, took upon Himself the form of a servant, became man, and obeyed even to the cross.
So, it must be with me. My sonship with God is the seed out of which I am to reap a harvest of dedicated discipleship, the result of which will be reward, recognition, honor, and praise. God forbid is should ever be said of me, “He did not live up to his birth promise”. Rather, by God’s help, may I hear Him say; “I have counted you worthy of the Kingdom. (2 Thessalonians 1:5). I am in the Kingdom by grace; I am worthy of the Kingdom by obedient sonship.