REFRIGERATOR RIGHTS
Are you familiar with the term “refrigerator rights”? It’s a special privilege given to friends who have become more like family. Once granted the honor of refrigerator rights, a person has full permission to raid your fridge and help themselves to anything they want. When they utilize their right to access the yumminess that is hiding in your fridge, it is not seen as rude or an invasion of privacy . It is a joy knowing they accept their place of honor and are comfortable enough to do so.
MORE THAN REFRIGERATOR RIGHTS
While close friends have the grand honor of having “refrigerator rights”, there are a few even closer friends who move beyond refrigerator access, and are given a key that grants them full access. Nothing is off limits to them if they should need it or want it. They are trusted completely with the key to our home and there is no doubt they would never abuse that trust.
GOD’S CHILDREN HAVE MORE THAN REFRIGERATOR RIGHTS
“And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.”, Matthew 16:19a, NLT
As God’s adopted children, He has given us more than refrigerator rights–He has given us the Keys to His Kingdom. You have full access to the Kingdom and its benefits if you have accepted His invitation of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Not only do we get full access, He gives us full authority.
Tweet ThisIt would take a much longer blog to examine Kingdom Authority, but imagine that I gave you keys to my home. These keys allow you unrestricted access to my most treasured and personal spaces and items. You are free to go into any room or drawer. This would show that I have placed a lot of trust in you and our relationship.
Lets take it a step further. Not only do I give you keys to my home, but I grant you the authority to make decisions that would stand; you would be able to choose who my electric provider and even decide how my furniture was arranged or pick a color scheme throughout my home. I would be trusting that you knew me well enough to make decisions that would best benefit me.
WITH GREAT PRIVILEGE COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY
Complete access and authority isn’t given unless there is trust and relationship.
If a person who had the key to my home painted my living room purple with lime polka dots, I would ask for my key back or change the locks. Their actions proved they didn’t know me and our relationship would be wounded. They would no longer have access to my home. Access is a privilege and honor that should be protected.
God has given us access because He trusts us to make decisions based on His Kingdom principles. The only way to know what those principles are is to know God and spend time in prayer and in His word. As we do this, we have a deep connection with Him and the Holy Spirit. God reveals the treasures of the Kingdom to the ones who are closest to Him.
His disciples had seen the works He did and spent much time with Him, yet they only experienced “Refrigerator Privileges”. They relied on what others said and were content with partial access. Sadly, this caused them to miss out on the fullness available to them.
Peter’s understanding was different.
“Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Peter had a heart understanding of God and of His character. He had access to the treasures and truths of Heaven. This understanding came from being in tune to God and allowed him access to receive Heavenly truths and revelations.
Immediately after this, Jesus gave Peter the keys to the Kingdom as well as the authority that comes with it.
WHAT RIGHTS DO YOU EXERCISE WITH GOD?
Where are you today? Do you expect God to cater to you when you visit Him at church or call on Him in distress?
Are you limiting yourself to “refrigerator rights” where you only access part of the goodness of God ?
Have you embraced your position of authority as His child who has the key to the Kingdom and full access?
God is waiting to give you more than refrigerator right! Contact me so I can introduce you!
What a wonderful perspective on our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Thank you for writing this. I needed the reminder today. Hope you have a blessed day!
Thank you Robin. It was an amazing revelation when this thought stirred in my heart. I and glad you were blessed!
Beautiful analogy, Tammy! Lots to mull over here as I consider how I view my relationship with God. He’s my Father … so I should feel completely comfortable in His fridge … but there is so much more!
Its always a joy when you drop by Dianne. And YES! There is so much more. I am still trying to get the depth of that truth to seep in to the deepest parts of me.