I continue to watch the goings on in society and see the horrifying actions of those promoting a cause. What I mean by horrifying is the move to loud obnoxious speech. Moves to violence. The defamation of those that do not simply agree. I find those actions appalling in that we are to be civilized as humans and yet we tend to act like savages in the attempt to get our way.

“¹⁶These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.” – Jude 1:16 (ESV)

Here Jude is referring to those that are out for their own selfish gain and in doing so, they are outside the will of God. I want to be clear in that there is certainly more to the book of Jude beyond just this one verse. I am simply focusing on this verse as an example of God’s Word and His references to those that are outside of His will.

As I look into society, I see these “loud-mouthed boasters” as they work to “gain advantage” from the rest of society. They are interested in “their own” thoughts and not the thoughts of others. They are out there working to get their own agenda through without thought to how that might impact others. They are simply looking out from themselves and not taking the approach of doing the work of God.

I will admit that it does feel as though as a Christian, I, and the rest of us, are not given a fair shake in society as we are more reserved and conservative in our approach. But I also see that as following the will and character of God. We are to work to get things done by civility and acceptance. We are not to take the hard line aggressive approach with others. We are to be bringing the glory to God and the glory of God to the people. We are not out here to bring our agenda, but His and His alone.

I have to remember the following from Jude in all that I do and the actions I take.

“¹⁷But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁸They said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.’ ¹⁹It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. ²⁰But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” – Jude 1:17-21 (ESV)

I am here to do the will of God and not the will of man. When I keep my focus there, I have God on my side and know that I will gain “the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ”. My civility and love for all is where I gain the advantage, not in the condemnation of others. I am not here to judge others, I am here simply to bring the Lord to everyone and allow Him to do His work through the Holy Spirit in the lives of all who hear.

What advantage have you tried to gain by being bigger and louder than everyone else? Are you out there working for your agenda and not necessarily the will of God? What if you were to utilize civility and simply work to bring the gospel to all and allow that to be your advantage to gain “the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ”?

“¹⁷Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” – Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)

This morning I was reminded, by way of the above passage, that the leaders I should be submitting to are those that do the work through joy. There is nothing for me to gain with those “leaders” that do the job out of obligation or while continuing to complain.

I have been in many organizations over the years and those that have been of the most benefit to me have been where those leading are doing so with a joyous heart. They are happy to be there and do the work and strive to do so to the betterment of others and not necessarily for any advantage for themselves. I am speaking of in the secular world as well as in the church. I have learned most from those that were interested in teaching and growing me as opposed to placing themselves in some position to be noticed or where they will get something from the work they are doing.

“⁷Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” – Hebrews 13:7 (ESV)

Here is where we should be leaning for help. We should be looking to the content of the character of those that we follow. We should look to imitate them and their faith. We should look to grow from their tutelage. We should look to be like them and follow the path they have set for us. This is where our advantage comes.

I wrote recently that there is no advantage in man’s law and the same goes for working with those that are out for themselves and are not joyous in their work. I have to remember to look out for the character of those I look up to and be sure to imitate the faith and the character of those that are God fearing and live to glorify Him. That is where my advantage is found.

Who are you looking up to? Are you looking to gain from those that have gained for themselves? What if you instead focused on the character and faith of those who lead and gained your advantage from them?

I can’t tell you how many time have I followed man’s law only to find myself behind others that do not. It seems as though just getting by is worth more than following of man’s law. And as I have studied and written in the past, that is true even in following God.

“²Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. ³I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.” – Galatians 5:2-3 (ESV)

Paul is writing to the churches in Galatia and is making it clear that the way to Christ is through faith in Him and not through the following of the law, specifically the law of circumcision here. I can see in the above verses that once I have caved to the law of man I am obligated to fully obey the law of man and become a slave to those laws throughout life.

Now I want to be clear, following Christ does not give me the freedom to ignore the law of man and I am still accountable to the consequences of breaking those laws. But what I am saying is that I am to keep my faith in God and allow Him to guide me in all that I do. If that guidance places upon me to take a position contrary to man’s law, then I should take the position God has for me and accept the consequences from man. I follow God and not man. I am not a slave to man and only accept the authority of man as provisioned by God.

The following of man’s law gives me no advantage in life. I gain nothing from it other than avoiding the punishment of man for not following the law of man. That punishment is temporary and is something that can and will be endured with the comfort and protection provided by God as a condition of my faith in Him. Take Paul for instance. He is writing to the churches in Galatia about keeping the faith and not following explicitly the law of man as he sits in prison for not following the law of man. He is content with his position as he knows that this punishment is only temporary and will fade as and when he goes to be with Jesus in heaven. He is not caving to the law of man to gain some advantage in this life as there is none to be had.

When you look out at what it is you are following, what reasons are you following them? Are you looking out to be sure and avoid the consequences that come for going against the law of man, or are you looking to simply follow through faith the law of God? What if you simply followed God and accepted that there is no advantage for following exclusively the law of man?

Jesus returned to the Father and left us so that we may have an advantage in our growth.

“⁷Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” – John 16:7 (ESV)

Here Jesus outlines the advantage that will be gained by His returning to the Father and allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us all.

Too often we find ourselves dependent on the “leader” to get things done so that we have the ability to just do our work without interruption. The “leaders” are placed in the position of doing everything and therefor the growth of those below is not realized as there is no need as there is always someone there to do the work so that others can be dependents.

I happen to believe that growth comes most when the “leaders” are not there to do everything. As an example, there was a week that I was asked to serve as the point of contact for my boss as he was out on vacation. With him out I was standing in for him in meetings and other areas. There were several instances when decisions needed to be made that he would normally make and be involved in. I took the opportunity to make those decisions and move forward with work for the team and everything worked out well as though he were there all along. When he returned, he commented to me that I had done such a good job of stepping up that I “made him look bad”. Now that was not my intent, but you can see that when he stepped out of the way and allowed others to do the work they were able to step up and do the work.

Jesus stepped out of the limelight and gave way to the Holy Spirit to “help” and allowed His disciples to do the work going forward. They would no longer be dependent on Jesus to do the work and they would now be called on to step up their work and take the “lead” in all things to advance the gospel. Yes, the Holy Spirit would be there to guide and comfort, but the leading and doing was now left up to the disciples.

It is to our advantage to not me dependent on the “leaders” to get things done. We should be working to grow our skills and take the lead in all things. We should call on the “leaders” for help when something is out of our control or authority, but until that comes, we should be doing the work.

What work have you been putting off on your leader? Are you allowing others to do the work that you are certainly capable of doing yourself? What if you were to take advantage of the growth opportunities and do work for yourself and ask for help only when you “need” it?

I know, I am a higher thinker and therefore have been placed in a higher more important seat in the structure of the world.

“²⁷So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. ²⁸And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” – Genesis 1:27-28 (ESV)

Or have I?

“¹⁹For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity.” – Ecclesiastes 3:19 (ESV)

The first passage tells that God created me in His own image to rule over the other animals in the world. Then when I read the second passage, it seems as though I am in no better position that those animals. They and I are the same in that we come from the same place and will return to the same place upon our exit from this world.

When I look at the passages and only the passages, it brings confusion and seems to be contrary to each other. I am ruler over the animals, but am no different than those same animals. Deciphering the text is where I am different.

I was chosen and created by God for a purpose, as were the other animals of this world. Everything created by God was purposeful and for that I have to be grateful and understanding. But I also have to remember that like the animals and other things created by God, so was I and therefor I am a creation of His and hold the same status to Him in that regard. They came from the earth and will return to the earth. They will serve their purpose and then return. I came from the earth and will return to the earth. I will serve my purpose and then return.

I am no different from the animals and beasts in that I have a purpose to fulfill and then when that has been completed I will return to God. I hold no advantage over the other animals or beasts in that regard and must remember that as I move forward in this world.

What is your view of your station here in this world? Are you holding to the idea that you are better than those around you? What if we went through life knowing that we have a purpose and once that purpose is completed we will return to the earth and to God who created us?

“²Do you think this to be just? Do you say, ‘It is my right before God,’ ³that you ask, ‘What advantage have I? How am I better off than if I had sinned?’” – Job 35:2-3 (ESV)

As a Christian, I am heir with Jesus in heaven. I am a child of God and enjoy the gift of salvation. What I don’t get is an advantage before God. I am liable just as everyone else. I am a sinner just as everyone else. I have earned nothing more than everyone else. I am just as everyone else.

Where is the difference, in my repentance. I have acknowledged that I am a sinner and that I am liable and that I am no better than and I am just like everyone else. I have accepted salvation and know that I need God to make it and get through this world.

Job was, at this time, lamenting that those that were against God seemed to be getting away with it. There appeared to be no consequence for their actions and therefor all the work put in by Job seemed to be work without reward. His thoughts were of “what is the point”. He was getting anywhere by staying righteous and therefor why shouldn’t he just start to rebel and be like those going against God, since there was no benefit to being righteous.

I admit it, I feel that way as I see what appears to be no benefit to doing right. I see those that seem to get away with whatever and I am encountering obstacle after obstacle as I do what is right and never seem to get ahead. I seem to be lagging behind and struggling for everything when those that appear to be less Godly are winning in what they set out to accomplish.

I know that it is not what we get in this world, and I have to be careful not to hold it against God. I have to accept what He gives to me and be gracious for the blessings He bestows on me and my family. I should not be doing things for gain in this world but for gain in heaven. I have to remember that I hold no advantage before God, but my advantage is with God.

What advantage are you looking for? Are you wishing to win in this world against your fellow man and before God? What if you just did the work of God and accepted your advantage with Him in heaven?

God has given me the Holy Spirit as a guide and helper in this world. It is up to me to use.

“¹⁴By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” – 2 Timothy 1:14 (ESV)

It is important to know that the Holy Spirit is here for me and is assisting me in the guarding of that which I know. It is up to me to allow and ask for that help as I go into this world and fight against the evil that is in the world and at my doorstep each day.

I have been entrusted with knowledge from God and about Him and that is important for me to maintain and promote in the world. That world is out to discredit and scream falsehood to all that is from God. It is my duty to guard against that discrediting. I know it is there and I am but one man, but the Holy Spirit is there to help and to provide the additional support I need in order to stay strong. It is too easy for me to just bow to the world and accept their view. I need strength to stand for God and the truth.

I have the Holy Spirit to use as a guide and I have those that came before me to lean on their teachings.

“¹³Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 1:13 (ESV)

Paul was there for Timothy and his words and encouragement are there for me as well. I study and learn from God’s Word that has bee produced for me and that is where I gain my strength. I know and I have to protect His Word that has been learned from God as I move in this world.

What are you leaning on and protecting? Are you allowing the world to cloud your mind? What if you were to guard against the world and use the strength of the Holy Spirit to do so?

“⁸Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, ⁹who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, ¹⁰and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ¹¹for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, ¹²which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” – 2 Timothy 1:8-12 (ESV)

Paul makes it clear here to Timothy that he is proud and grateful for the chance to spread the gospel. He knows that there is suffering that will and has come from his faith, but it is all worth it for the protections that he receives from Jesus until His return.

I am entrusted with the same and my faith should be as strong. I have nothing to fear as I am with Him. He is my protector until He returns and takes me to be with Him forever. I have to remember to have the same pride and gratefulness that Paul has and just as he is with Timothy, he is encouraging me the same way.

I am of God and have been entrusted with the same “holy calling” and it is my duty to lead that way and allow God to protect and guard me in all that I do. He will not leave me or allow me to be harmed outside of His plan, but will guard against the influence of the devil and his manipulation.

When you look at it, what protections are you assured of? Are you able to go through life knowing that God is watching over you all the way? What if you were to embrace the faith of your “holy calling” and allow Jesus to guard you until He comes?

“²⁰O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” ²¹for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.” – 1 Timothy 6:20-21 (ESV)

As I look into the world, there is much out there that may be considered truth as I comes from the outlets that everyone is paying attention to. Social media, acquaintances, authority figures, celebrities, and all others that are in the visible eye. This is dangerous as there is little to know oversight into the validity of these, only that they are those that are speaking the loudest.

Paul was sure to warn Timothy against viewing and accepting that which was said as being truth. In fact when you look at the above verses, he indicates to Timothy to guard what you know to be the truth. He wanted to be sure that Timothy knew and was prepared for that which would not be in line with the truth he knew.

How much do I really look out for that which is not truth, and truly guard against that which does not align with what I know to be truth. I have to be sure that I am focused on the Christ and that which comes from Him and tune out that which does not or that which is contrary.

It is my commitment to knowing and for the truth and guarding it that will give me the ability to look out for the that which is not in line with that truth. And that is the weapon against the false, knowing the truth, guarding it, and then knowing when what I am hearing or exposed to does not align.

What are those things that you know to be the truth? Are you guarding that truth to know when the false is there? What if you were to know when the false is there and your guarding of the truth is what assist you in getting past that false?

Too often I find myself in a place of needing to be guarded. I worry that I will not be able to make it.

“⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7 (ESV)

See here that whatever my need I can lean on the peace of God and receive that which is needed. I forget that His peace is greater than anything I could think of. I am only man and will not be able to grasp it all, however as I have written in the past, I know, so therefore I should lean on that knowledge for the guarding I require.

God is my all and all. He guards me against any and all that may come. It is His peace that grants me the guard that I need and in that peace is where I have to remember to lean for understanding of all.

What is it that comes at you where you may need guarding? Are you trying to understand it all on your own? What if you were to allow God’s peace to lead to your understanding?