THE ULTIMATE PRIVILEGE

The word privilege implies that a group or individual has special advantages over all other groups and individuals. We’ve been hearing a lot about privilege lately, especially “white privilege.” But the fact that privilege exists among people indicates that there are differences in human attributes. 

There are many different privileges in the world both today and historically. One example is “strong privilege”- the strong usually have an advantage over the weak. Another is “female privilege” – there was a time when all ladies appreciated the door or chair holding of a gentleman and other acts of chivalry. Of course “male privilege” is also important – men always appreciate the attention of a loving wife and mother. 

I could go on, but the essence of “privilege” may be simply holding another person in esteem and treating them with respect and courtesy. 

But the ultimate privilege is CHRISTIAN PRIVILEGE. We have the privilege of knowing GOD – of having THE MIND OF CHRIST. 

Luke 24:45 (NKJV) And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 

Matthew 13:10-11 (NKJV) And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 

Matthew 11:25 (NKJV) At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 

2 Corinthians 4:6 (NKJV) For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

Acts 26:18 (NKJV) to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' 

2 Corinthians 3:15-16 (NKJV) But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 

Ephesians 1:17-18 (NKJV) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 

John 16:13 (NKJV) However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 

2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (NKJV) But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

1 Corinthians 2:9-16 (NKJV) But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

BLOOD TYPES - ONE RACE

 The human race is one race, with a few variations. What identifies us most is not the amount of pigmentation in our skin, but our blood type. 

Do you know your blood type? There are eight primary types, which are A, B, AB, and O, with either an RhD +/- factor. If someone needs a transfusion, it’s imperative to match the donor’s blood type with the patient’s. 

Why we have a particular blood type is due to our genetic makeup. Genetics was the science advanced by Gregory Mendel, a friar who served the Church in 19^th century Europe. Since his dominant / recessive gene discoveries, we have further found a much more detailed DNA structure that affects our inherited traits. 

But when the blood types have been documented around the world we find some interesting details. BLOODBOOK.COM has a record of the blood types of 85 population groups. Of these groups there are only ten that don’t have all blood types, and there are only three that have only one blood type. 

Those with only one blood type are remote tribes in South America and the Indian Ocean. They are the Bororo tribe in Brazil, Indians in Peru, and the Shompen in the Nicobar Islands. All have only type O blood. 

We all know the importance of blood – we can’t live without it. God designed our intricate cardiovascular system to provide blood to every organ and cell in our body. With the blood come oxygen and other gases; nutrition; healing; medication; and waste removal. It’s amazing! 

God created man separate from the animals and gave us unique blood, and through our blood He gave us life. Leviticus 17:11 says, “Life is in the blood.” If we lose too much we will die. But just as we can get a blood transfusion to keep us alive physically, God provides us with a spiritual transfusion through the shed blood of Christ on the cross. 

What we know about our physical blood will help us understand the need for our spiritual blood. Through God‘s Word we can become enlightened about this. I John 1:7 says, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Sin results in death; the blood of Christ results in eternal life.