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Privilege

             For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

          “I ain’t got no fear of nobody, nowhere, no how. (Except spiders.)” That’s how I come across to some people. To some, I have no fear. To others, I have little but fear hidden behind double negatives and denials. Having read Sea Wolf, I would quickly point out that I do have fears, because without fear, I could not be brave and I’d rather be brave than fearless.

          But that’s not what Paul is really talking about here. In the previous verse, he urged Timothy to fan the flames of his spiritual gift(s.) Paul never mentions what that gift is, but if nothing else, Timothy was a pastor. He seems to have been what some folks are calling an empath, or perhaps a people-pleaser. And Paul’s admonition about the manner of Spirit Timothy received appropriately relates to the absence of timidity, and the presence of power, love, and self-discipline. Had Paul written to someone else, he might have mentioned other things that the Spirit gives us, though I suspect those three would be on lists frequently.

          As I read this verse this morning, the word privilege came to mind. The gifts the Spirit gives could easily be seen as privileges. They are things that we are given, and others aren’t. In our current society, certain individuals are quick to tell others to “check your privilege.” Privileges can be misused or abused, used, or ignored. Today’s passage suggests the proper response to privilege – use them with power, love, and a sound mind. How different the world would be if we started living this out.

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