"Fountain of Privilege"

This is a quote by John Owen referring to our adoption into the family of God. As I think about these words, they are a reminder of how our lives are to be lived. We live a life of privilege, we have the rights to a Heavenly kingdom. Yet, another common quote in our home comes to mind - "With great privilege comes great responsibility." Those who have privileges (whatever those privileges may be), must be mindful that there is a sense of responsibility that comes with them.

For example, in parenting, your child has the privilege to stay up later than normal and they must get up normally the next day. If not, then they loose the privilege. At school, one may have the privilege of taking a day off for something special, if they don't make up the work, they may fail or have to make it up another way. In a job, an employee may have certain privileges, but if he abuses those he could loose his job.

In the Christian life, we have many privileges. We are free to live a life of complete abandonment to Christ and enjoy many liberties, but those freedoms come with responsibilities. I am not speaking here of the specific commands that are clearly laid out for us in Scripture, but the "gray" areas of the Christian life. I Corinthians 8 warns believers to be on guard to practice freedom in Christ in a way that does not hinder others. Verse 9- But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. These rights and freedoms look like different things to many people but there is the same responsibility, don't let it cause another to stumble.