You who’ve followed my blog recently,

(I’m talking to both of you)

Have read my thoughts on the subject of ‘White Privilege’.

Succinctly,

…I was critical of the concept.

Reluctant to concede that I’m afforded rights I have not earned.

…pridefully insisting that I enjoy no undeserved advantages.

I’ve changed my mind.

Christian faith will not permit me to live in denial.

“23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

4 What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. 4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 3:23–4:7). 

Through no efforts of my own,

I’m an heir to the kingdom of God.

Privileged.

This privilege is my whole identity.

No race, gender, politics or philosophy describes the scope of my favor.

Inescapable.

I didn’t figure this out by myself.

It required impassioned discussions

(read as ‘arguments’)

with friends.

I was wrong.

Oblivious.

Insisting that my royal heritage doesn’t exist

…while it’s affects are patently obvious.

Love, laughter, acceptance, peace, community, joy and hope.

Every day I draw these from an invisible knapsack

that Jesus bought for me.

I get it now.

I’m ashamed it took so long.