What Do We Deserve?

Entitlement is a term often associated with our culture today. Some make reference to an entitlement generation, and others apply it to different ethnical groups. It comes down to what people think they deserve.

To be entitled is the fact of having the right to something. The belief that one is deserving of privileges or treatment.

Over the years I’ve heard many people debate various topics on what they feel they deserve. For example, one should have the right to die with dignity. It’s a common debate for assisted suicide of the elderly or terminally ill.

Slanderous comments can easily damage an individual’s reputation. False allegations can have devastating consequences. Nobody deserves to have their reputation unjustly soiled.

I like to measure my opinions to scripture. When I search what it is I am entitled to, I find startling facts. You see, I am a sinner.

Roman 3:23 for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God

Sin separates us from God. We are not entitled to be in His presence. In fact, we deserve death.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

The second half of the verse speaks of hope. God sent us a gift to cover our sins. That gift can only be received through Jesus.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

We have done nothing to deserve the gift of salvation offered through Jesus. His sacrifice can cleanse us of our sins. If we accept the gift of his sacrifice, God sees the perfect life of Christ in us.

When looking through the lens of Christ to consider what we deserve, things look much different. Jesus did not die with dignity, so why do we think we should? Jesus was of no reputation, so why should we worry about ours?

As a believer in Jesus, we are given the promises of eternal life (John 3:16), His presence with us (Hebrews 13:5), rest (Matthew 11:28), unity as one people (Galatians 3:28), peace (Romans 5:1), and so much more. We are not entitled to the promises of God. We do not deserve Him, but He chose us.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will Ephesians 1:4-5

This post is linked with Five Minute Friday. This weeks word prompt is “Deserve.”