…can have it.

Testing for COVID19 is available but how accessible is it? If you are a high-ranking politician or a professional athlete or another significant person you can have it on demand, even if you don’t have a single symptom. And yes, you can even get the results within minutes, or later that same day.

But, without recognized significance or strings-to-pull, you go to the back of the line and wait your turn. Eventually, you can get the test – but only if you already have obvious symptoms. And then you wait for the results – which could take up to a week or even two for the likes of you and me.

When the big break-through comes and a COVID19 vaccine becomes available, who do you think will benefit first? Those who need it most or those who are always privileged to be at the front of such lines? But, aren’t they also the ones who have the greatest capacity to stay safe and the greatest ability to afford the best care should they become ill?

Those who can afford it are not choosing to fly on commercial airlines these days in order to minimize their risks of contracting COVID19. Rather than pay $400 for a return flight from Los Angeles to Vegas, people are chartering private jets at a starting price of $9000. Or, as many are doing, buy your own. Check it out for yourself. The number of first-time owners of jets or planes is up during the pandemic.

None of this is shocking. That’s just the way it is in our broken world. And it has become so deeply ingrained in our thinking, we wonder why it should be any other way. Those who have it, get it. Those who don’t, can’t. It has become our understanding of a level-playing field and our definition of fairness.

Blinded by privilege.

If you can afford it, you can send your children to an upscale private school. But if you can’t, you can’t.

If you can afford it, you can access education at well-branded universities, and with your diploma in hand, you can wave-down a good job. But if you can’t afford it …

If you are diagnosed with a dreaded disease and you can afford it, you can access the best treatment available. If you can’t, your chances are slim. (Canadians can’t really relate to this particular point but millions in the world can.)

To say the list is much longer is an understatement.

Is there any change to this storyline?

Thank God, yes!

And, literally, thank God – because this is all about God’s heart.

Those who can’t afford it – can have it! (I feel like adding more !!)

And what is it? Everlasting life. Eternal life – a personal and eternal relationship and fellowship with God.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

The biggest break in life, the greatest acquisition in life, the longest-lasting possession in life, and the richest blessing in life cannot be purchased by the privileged in society. Cannot be bought by wealthy people. Cannot be secured by name recognition or status in life.

When it comes to the forgiveness of sins, acceptance into God’s family, the richness of eternal life, and the assurance of a home in Heaven for the eternal ages – the rich have no more access to it, than the poor. The most religious person has no more advantage than the most broken sinner.

God’s wonderful salvation and eternal life are available to you right now. It really is a level playing field for every single person. Because of sin, no one is in a better position than another to secure favour with God.

Here’s the landscape from God’s perspective:

None is righteous, no, not one… All have turned aside…and the way of peace they have not known… so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God…for there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 3:9-24

God’s bottom line is – not one of us meet His holy requirements. Not one is qualified. No one has any strength or preferred status with God. Sin, of any and every variety, light and heavy, disqualifies every person.

Against this hopelessly bleak picture, the meta-narrative of the Holy Bible shines God’s bright beams of love into a hopeless scene.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:6-8

That whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life.

Those who can’t afford it can have it!

I leave you with the question: in light of the above, do you have it? Perhaps the relevant and fundamental question is: do you want it?

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