Self Righteous Sin (Job 34:9)

In the midst of discourse with his three friends, Job declares that a man profits nothing by delighting himself with God.  This statement is so far from truth.  His heart and ours also can be turned to believe it by looking at the lives of the wicked.  Job stated how well off they were.  Asaph, the Psalmist, also struggled with the same perspective until he went into the sanctuary and saw their end (Psalm 73:3-17).  Circumstances may appear to show that there is no benefit, but there is.

For all ages, the Scriptures still declare that there is none righteous, no not one.  Job may have viewed himself as being right in all that he mentioned concerning matters of business, caring for the poor, widow and fatherless and judgment, but he was a sinner and battled sin in his life.  His position and testimony before God may have been that he eschewed evil, but he was still a sinner.  For this reason, Elihu was angry.  There is a benefit in living for God.  However, the benefit may not be wealth, position or ease of living.  The benefits in living for God are mercy, grace and peace.  Our position as sinners warrants that we deserve the most miserable of lives upon the Earth and then to face death and the impending judgement of eternal punishment.  Anything in life other than that should be considered a blessing.

As you face the trials that come in your life and begin to focus on what you do not have or fail to experience, make sure that you recognize all that you miss.  You will never face death as the wicked, because the sting of death has been removed.  You will not stand at the White Throne judgement nor will you vehemently beg for mercy only to be denied and then cast into the Lake of Fire.  

However, you have experienced his mercy in salvation.  God's grace has worked in your life and you have grown and become strong because of it.  How many times in the past as a God spoken to you through his word and encouraged your heart?  Each time that he did, you experienced his peace.  Your trial may be tough and because it is a trial, it is not the result of your sin.  However, your life is not righteous enough for you to say, "I don't deserve this."  Praise The Lord! We don't get what we deserve.

#self righteous

#trials