I have always struggled against a personal sense of entitlement. I’m easily tempted to say things like, “I deserve it” or “I worked hard for it” or “As a child of God, it’s my right to have it.” I know these things are really expressions of my carnality and pride. In fact, whenever I say them, I minimize the grace of God that changed my life forever, and also provided whatever I have. The only thing I deserve or am entitled to is the one thing that Jesus stopped from happening – the crucifixion and pain He went through in my place. I should have gone through it as a sinner in the eyes of our holy God. However, His sacrifice stopped me from having to go through what I really deserved, or even worse, and for all eternity. I know this sometimes may be hard to grasp and can sound like religious talk, but it’s true. It’s always good to remind ourselves of the gift of God, lest any of us should boast. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV) says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, {9} not of works, lest anyone should boast. {10} For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
What can we expect if we’re not entitled to anything? Actually, there are two things to expect and yes, to which we are entitled. They come from our surrender to Christ and the lives we now live in Him. First, we can expect all the promises of God to be true – without exception and regardless of our current circumstances. Then, we can also expect opportunities to make a meaningful difference to so many people we will touch. I’m Dr. Bob. Here’s a third expectation to which you are entitled. It will depend on you. It’s that you can expect to know God in a more personal and gratifying way, every day.