Four Great Christian Privileges

Intro: Summary of text. In our text we will see God’s beautiful picture of the true believer. Here we see God like a great painter creating a good image of a child of God. Observe in Isa. 33:15 that there are six unique characteristics of a real Christian. He –

(1) "walketh righteously"

(2) "speaketh uprightly"

(3) “despiseth the gain of oppressions"

(4) "shaketh his hands from holding of bribes"

(5) "stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood"

(6) "shutteth his eyes from seeing evil"

Question: Is this a picture of us? Does it fit us? Do we really walk in righteousness, speak honestly, despise anything that is dishonest, and refuse to be corrupted by evil gain? Are we slow to hear evil and careful about what we see? Being a believer affects our whole being inside and out including our feet, mouth, heart, hands, ears and eyes (Rom. 6:13; 12:1-2 cf. Prov. 6:16-19).

In Isa. 33:16-17 we also see four illustrations of the privileges all Christians enjoy as believers and disciples of Christ. These are:

I. OUR POSITION IN CHRIST

Verse 16a tells us that the man of God "shall dwell on high…" Does this mean that we shall go to Heaven when we die? Though that is a fact, the text doesn’t mean that (see Eph. 2:1, 6). The moment we were born again we were placed in a new and a wonderful position. Once we were "in Adam" but now are "in Christ" (I Cor. 15:22; II Cor. 5:17).

We are heavenly citizens (Phil. 3:20) and even right here and now God has made provision for us to "dwell on high."

Yet, how many of us are living very much on earth’s level and are failing to rise up into the enjoyment of those blessings and privileges in Christ? Not a few Christians are living like spiritual beggars when God wants them to live like "sons of God" and "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ" (Rom. 8:16-17).

Indeed, our Heavenly Father has through His Son Jesus Christ supplied every need for every Christian to live peacefully and victoriously in this present life and especially in the next! If we have this hope then we must live responsibly and righteously (I John 3:1-3). What a wonderful POSITION we have in Christ!

II. OUR PROTECTION IN CHRIST

Verse 16b tells us that for the Christian, "his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks." Here is our protection (Col. 3:3; Psa. 91:2). Every real Christian lives a protected life. Nothing can happen to the Christian apart from God’s permission. However, this does not mean immunity from troubles, trials, accidents, calamities, sickness, and death itself, but it does mean that nothing “just happens" to the believer (Rom. 8:28).

Our body is our earthly house and the temple of the Spirit (II Cor. 5:1; I Cor. 6:19). The body we most cherish is truly less important than our souls (Mark 8:36-37). For the Christian, to die is “gain” and to be with Christ, "which is far better’’ (Phil. 1:21, 23). What a wonderful PROTECTION we have in Christ!

III. OUR PROVISION IN CHRIST

Verse 16cd tells us about this. "Bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure." For the sustenance of physical life God, as a gracious Father, supplies us bread and water (Psa. 34:10; 37:25). Verse 16cd implies that there is absolutely everything we need in Christ (John 6:35; Col. 2:10; Eph. 1:3). How great spiritual provisions are ours through Christ! In Christ we have:

(1) An eternal life that can never be lost (John 10:28).

(2) An everlasting mansion in New Jerusalem (John 14:2-3).

(3) A glorified body at the Rapture (Phil 3:20-21).

(4) A righteousness found nowhere but in Christ (Phil. 3:9).

(5) A peace which can never be shaken (Phil. 4:7).

(6) An inheritance which can never fades (I Pet. 1:4).

(7) A reward for our faithful service to God (Col. 3:24).

(8) A relationship which can never be broken (Gal. 3:26).

How blessed and full of privileges you are in Christ! God has granted the believer the POSITION, PROTECTION and PROVISION we need through no other means under heaven but in Christ.

IV. OUR PROSPECT IN CHRIST

Verse 17 tells us this, "Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off."

Conclusion: With these four great privileges in Christ – Position, Protection, Provision, and Prospect comes 3 great responsibilities. While we are on earth and awaiting the Lord Jesus, we are to exalt the Saviour as we edify saints and evangelize sinners. May our Lord & Saviour find us laboring for His glory when He comes!