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A Fair Advantage

I'm going to say something here that my wife will likely be the first to respond with a "Second" or "Amen!"  I feel that I have been successful in a lot of aspects of my life because I'm better than some people.  Now, I know that sounds cocky so let me explain.  I have a good job, a loving family, a reliable car, health, plenty of food, and secure finances.  Being cocky would mean believing that "I" did all of that.  But I am well aware that each of those things listed could be taken away from me in an instant if God so desires.  And that it is because of His will that anything good (or bad) is even in my life.  So yes, I am proud of the success I've had in certain areas, but I know who it's from too (Galations 6:14).

And I honestly believe that any of us as Christians should feel just as confident knowing that God's got our back.  Leviticus 26:3 reads, "If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them..." then there is a list of blessings over the next several verses:
V4-5: I will give rains and the and trees shall yield fruit
V5b: You shall eat your bread and dwell in your land securely
V6: I will give you peace, protection from fear and wild beasts
V7-8: Victory over enemies
V9: Fruitful families
V10: Abundant food reserves
V11-12: I will make my dwelling among you, walk among you, and make you my people

We all want the blessings of God, but look at what the blessing are tied to in V3 - "If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments."  "In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were able to enjoy an abundance of food from God's hand.  One of the results of the fall was the cursing of the very ground from which people would harvest their food (Gen. 3:17-19).  The curse of the ground is a reminder of the impact of sin on all creation.  Because of sin, the harmonious relationship between man and nature was thwarted."

I firmly believe that Christians have a fair advantage in life.  We have someone who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present to pray to and cry out to when we need Him.  We have someone with these abilities who LOVES us.  However, "this doesn't mean that obeying God is a formula for a happy, easy, or wealthy life.  Many of the most faithful people in the Bible were also those with the most difficult lives."  Paul faced numerous hardships and imprisonment.  Jesus was rejected and even killed for His faithfulness.  Many of the blessing listed here, and likely many that we gave thanks for on Thanksgiving, are physical things like food, home, security, and family.  But they all pale in comparison to the greatest promise - God's presence with us (Lev 26:11-12).

So yes, I do believe that I've done some good things in life.  And I also know that in order to succeed, in order to get ahead, you have to at some point surpass others and be better than they are.  And I know how and why I do it.  "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31.

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