The Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) at George Washington University is set to host a seminar titled, “Christian Privilege: But Our Founding Fathers Were All Christian, Right?!” During the event, the MSSC Associate Director and LGBTQ Resources Director will discuss how Christians have “easier” lives and get “built-in advantages over non-Christians.”
I think it’s safe to assume the seminar is going to be a complete dog’s breakfast. These things are only ever intended to divide people, in order to turn them against the dreaded straight, white, Christian male. But what if I told you there are real advantages to being a Christian? What if being a Christian did change the way you lived your life, here and now? Here’s a list of 15 real advantages Christians have over non-Christians.
Real Christian privilege is:
- Knowing that nothing is outside of God’s control.
“[God] works all things according to the counsel of his will.” (Eph. 1:11) - Knowing that everything has a purpose.
“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28) - Knowing there is no authority on earth that is greater than God’s.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matt. 28:18) - Knowing that God keeps his promises.
“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations…” (Deut. 7:9) - Knowing that God will take vengeance and repay every injustice.
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will replay, says the Lord.” (Rom. 12:19) - Knowing that every person will stand before God in judgment.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Cor. 5:10) - Knowing every person will eventually bow the knee to King Jesus.
“…at the name of Jesus every knee [will] bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:10-11) - Knowing Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Tim. 1:15) - Knowing that God’s love and mercy towards his people does not depend on how good they are.
“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit…” (Tit. 3:5) - Knowing that Jesus Christ suffered and died for the sins of his people.
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person–though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die–but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:6-8) - Knowing that Jesus Christ defeated death and rose from the dead.
“God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:24) - Knowing that we don’t need to fear our own death or the death of other Christians.
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep [dead], that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” (1 Thess. 4:13)“‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:55-56)
- Knowing that death is not the end.
“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” (1 Cor. 15:51-52) - Knowing that eternal life is granted as a free gift by God’s grace.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9) - Knowing that Jesus Christ will return and establish his eternal kingdom on earth.
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:3-4)
Are there advantages to being a Christian? Of course, just not necessarily in the sense they’re suggesting. What would you add to the list?