Take a Stand

u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eIntroductionu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennTake a stand — The story of Job is one that I choose to believe is very well known; people know that he lost everything – his family, his wealth, and even his health.  The “patience of Job” is well known, though I would suggest that his patience is typically misconstrued as being the quiet type of patience that tolerated everything without grumbling or complaining – that was not the case.  Yes, Job endured, but he did not do so quietly.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJob and his three friends argued and it was not pretty.  Standing by, listening to the discourse of Job and his three friends, was a young man named Elihu.  Elihu, I would suggest, is a representation of many believers who stand by and watch two sides go at it in a battle of self-righteousness; a battle of who knows what is right and best.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs he stood by watching the two parties argue, Elihu, scripture tells us, grew a bit frustrated with both Job and his three friends (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+32%3A2u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJob 32:2u003c/au003e); he decided that he was going to take a stand.  Elihu was frustrated with Job because Job, while arguing with his three friends, became very self-righteous and justified himself rather than God (Job 32:2).  Elihu was frustrated with the three friends because in their piety and self-righteousness, they u003cemu003econdemned u003c/emu003eJob rather than give him the help he sought (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+32%3A3u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJob 32:3u003c/au003e).  Imagine that – condemning those in need of help.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eThe Self-Righteous Stanceu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs I prepared this week’s sermon, I thought about the recent rulings and judgments that we have seen happen in our society the past few weeks.  There have been decisions made that have frightened and upset many people while a select group, believing they know what is right and best for others, cheer and celebrate.  The ego, the pride, piety, and self-righteousness of it all is something that annoys and frustrates me greatly.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI often wonder why we just can’t choose to live in peace, minding our own business, but at the same time, find a means to be able to help uplift one another rather than tear each other down.  Why is it that we work so hard to bring harm to one another rather than make peace with one another?  Ego, pride, piety – self-righteousness – has been the u003cemu003edemise u003c/emu003eof so many.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIt was the self-righteousness of one group that led to the enslavement of another.  It was the self-righteousness of one group, believing they knew what was best, that led to another group being told where they cannot eat, or drink from a water fountain, or even use the bathroom.  Now, today, it is the self-righteousness of a few that u003cemu003edictateu003c/emu003e to others what they cannot do with their own body.  A stand must be made and we must do so the right way.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eJob’s self-righteousness revealedu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, ego and pride – self-righteousness – are not words we typically associate with Job.  After all, we are told in scripture that the Lord said Job was a blameless and upright man that feared Him (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+1%3A8u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJob 1:8u003c/au003e).  Job stood as a pillar of what a good and faithful man was supposed to be in his community.  I believe that Job being a representation of a good and faithful person was the main reason as to why Elihu was so frustrated with him.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennElihu watched as a good faithful man was brought down in his spirit by his so-called friends.  Rather than speaking uplifting words to Job, they adamantly u003cemu003eblamed Jobu003c/emu003e for his suffering.  As James said, the tongue is both powerful and very dangerous in that it can set fire the course of nature (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas.+3%3A6u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJas. 3:6u003c/au003e).  Job’s friends, in their piety and self-righteousness, thought they were better than him.  By their tongue, they set fire to him and brought out the worst in him.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJob felt moved to take a stand and defend himself, his integrity, and u003cemu003ehis u003c/emu003erighteousness but he took a stand from a place of fiery anger and bitterness.  One has to be careful in how they choose to take a stand; you see, I believe there is a right way and a wrong way to go about taking a stand for oneself.  For the child of God, we cannot take a stand from a place of wrath and bitterness because again, as James said, wrath and bitterness does not produce the righteousness of God (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas.+1%3A20u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJas. 1:20u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJob told his friends that he was u003cemu003enotu003c/emu003e inferior to them and had as much understanding as they did (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+12%3A3u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJob 12:3u003c/au003e).  Nothing sounds terrible about that response, but I want you to notice that his response was a response to meet them on their level of piety and self-righteousness.  You see, Job went down the slippery slope of piety and self-righteousness and became very self-righteous alongside them.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eSlippery slope of self-righteousnessu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJob began to complain and make accusations against the Lord while at the same time saying he was u003cemu003ejustified u003c/emu003eof his accusations and complaints (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+7%3A11%3B+10%3A2u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJob 7:11; 10:2u003c/au003e).  Job accused the Lord of being u003cemu003eagainst him u003c/emu003eand striking him with poisonous arrows (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+6%3A4u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJob 6:4u003c/au003e).  Job was so far down this slope that he accused the Lord of taking away his justice and making his soul bitter (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+27%3A1-2u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJob 27:1-2u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, I believe we can understand Elihu’s frustration now!  Job’s friends did nothing to help him and Job was speaking wildly out of grief, sorrow, and despair that his friends were adding to.  The self-righteous person cannot truly help another u003cemu003eunless u003c/emu003ethere is something in it for them.  Then, when they’re dictating and condemning others, they manage to bring the worst out of others.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhen two come together and start to act out of self-righteousness against the other, they can never come together in understanding.  Why?  Because their righteousness won’t allow them to be humble, concede, and work together.  The end result is two u003cemu003estuck in the mud u003c/emu003efighting with no end in sight.  Here’s where we are today in our society – stuck in the mud fighting against each other in a battle of self-righteousness with no end in sight.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThis is the stance of the self-righteous – a stance that has led to the u003cemu003esuffering u003c/emu003eof many.  At some point, frustrations boil over and a stand will be taken.  It is of the utmost importance that we as genuine believers take a stand and that we ensure ourselves we are doing so in true righteousness and not self absorbed righteousness.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eThe Stance of True Righteousnessu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennElihu is the example that we are going to look at following today.  When Elihu finally spoke up, we will see that he approached Job and his friends from a place of u003cemu003ehumility u003c/emu003eand respect.  Elihu, again, was a young man who, out of humility and respect, waited for Job and his friends to finish before he spoke (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+32%3A7-8u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJob 32:7-8u003c/au003e).  So, right away, I would suggest to you that this young man was letting himself and his words be guided by the Lord and not by his own righteousness.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eGuided by the pure words of Godu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn Psalm 12, David said that the words of the Lord are u003cemu003epureu003c/emu003e, like silver, tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps.+12%3A6u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003ePs. 12:6u003c/au003e).  The words of the Lord are perfect and without fail.  Those living by the words of the Lord are living by words that lead to holiness and true righteousness.  Whereas those who abide by any other words are abiding by words that are imperfect and full of failure; this is why the self-righteous cannot be of true assistance – they abide by their own words.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThis is why Job’s friends could not uplift him and, at that same time, is why Job could not find understanding himself; they believed themselves to be perfect according to their own words when in actuality, they were just as imperfect as anybody else.  You see, this is the danger of the self-righteous – believing yourself to be perfect when in truth none of us are!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennTo think, or to believe, such shows how little the self-righteous thinks of the Lord.  Through their words and their actions, the self-righteous one puts their righteousness u003cemu003eover u003c/emu003ethe Lord, who u003cemu003eis u003c/emu003eperfect.  The religious leaders of Jesus’ day are proof of this as they were so self-righteous that their righteousness u003cemu003eblinded u003c/emu003ethem to the righteousness of the Lord standing before them.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn their blindness to God’s righteousness, the religious leaders became u003cemu003ebitteru003c/emu003e in their hearts towards Jesus, the righteousness standing before.  Again, let us remember what James said about bitterness being in the hearts of man – it cannot produce righteousness.  So James encouraged us to be u003cemu003eswift u003c/emu003eto hear, u003cemu003eslow to speaku003c/emu003e, and slow to wrath because this produces the righteousness of God (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas.+1%3A19u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJas. 1:19u003c/au003e).  Elihu, we should note, ticked off every box on that checklist when dealing with the two self-righteous parties.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003ePointing out the truthu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennBeing guided by the pure words of God, the believer should offer rebuke to the self-righteous that does not come from a place of piety, bitterness, or wrath, but from a place of u003cemu003ehumilityu003c/emu003e.  To get through to Job, yes, Elihu was frustrated, but he moved out of that frustration in truth and in humility.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennElihu posed a question to Job that we see in my key verse for today.  Elihu asked this blameless and upright man, “Do you think this is right? Do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s’?”  This is a very pointed question that Elihu had asked of Job.  This, I believe, is a pointed question for u003cemu003eall u003c/emu003epeople – believers and non-believers – and especially all of those that move out of their own self-righteousness.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJob believed he was u003cemu003etoo righteous u003c/emu003eto suffer and go through what it was that he was going through.  By his accusations, Job even believed he could tell the Lord what is just and what is unjust.  u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/god-complex-you-are-not-god/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u00224589u0022u003eWho are we to question the Lordu003c/au003e or tell Him what is just or unjust?  Who are we to tell the Lord what is right and what is wrong?  Who are we to tell God what to do and what not to do – when to move and when not to move according to His will?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe do this every time we get out ahead of God and start taking things into our own hands by judging, condemning, and dictating to others out of our self-righteousness – God has not commanded us to do this!  No, God has commanded us to help and to love one another, not condemn, dictate, or oppress each other!  Think about this:  if we have the audacity to think that we can tell God what to do, what would stop us from telling others what to do?  This is what we deal with when it comes to the self-righteous heart.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennElihu would go on to ask Job about what could u003cemu003ehe u003c/emu003epossibly do for the Lord (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+35%3A6-7u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJob 35:6-7u003c/au003e)?  These questions point out a serious truth to us.  That truth being that we are u003cemu003enot u003c/emu003eGod; we are not righteous by anything we do ourselves.  Therefore, because we are not righteous by our own might, we do not have some great understanding nor the authority to look on others and u003cemu003edictate u003c/emu003eto them what is right and what is wrong by our own self-righteousness.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe only one who can do such a thing is the Lord who rules over all things, and yet, He even leaves mankind withu003cemu003e a choice u003c/emu003eto either obey Him or not.  With that in mind, what you and I can do is take a stand in the Lord’s righteousness!  We do this by living according to his words and then sharing His words in a manner that gives others the choice to live by them or not.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eSetting the exampleu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe writer of Hebrews encouraged us to u003cemu003epursue peace and holiness with all people u003c/emu003e(u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb.+12%3A14u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eHeb. 12:14u003c/au003e)u003cemu003e.  u003c/emu003eIn doing this, the writer of Hebrews said to us that we should look carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; u003cemu003elest any root of bitterness u003c/emu003espringing up u003cemu003ecause troubleu003c/emu003e, and by this many become defiled (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb.+12%3A15u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eHeb. 12:15u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennElihu took a stand because he saw the bitterness coming out of Job and he needed to stop a righteous man from becoming a man that lives by bitterness.  Job, being a pillar in his community, would have great influence on those around him through his words and actions.  Elihu pointed this out to Job when he said to him, “Your wickedness affects a man such as you, and your righteousness a son of man (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+35%3A8u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJob 35:8u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn essence, Elihu wanted Job to understand that he would set an example to follow and also influence others to do as he does.  Should others follow his lead of wickedness, Elihu pointed out that pain and suffering would await them (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+35%3A9u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJob 35:9u003c/au003e).  I look around at the examples being set today – examples of anger and hatred on others – and it’s saddening.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIt is saddening because generation after generation only knows how to hurt one another rather than u003cemu003elove u003c/emu003eand help each other due to the stance of self-righteousness.  All we have been left with is pain and suffering and all it seems we do is continue to push pain and suffering for generation unto generation.  And it seems that things aren’t getting any better though we like to dream and imagine that it will in the future.  How can things get any better if we continue to allow self-righteousness to have its way?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eTake a Standu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennA stand against self-righteousness must be made.  The stance of one who takes a stand in the righteousness of the Lord – true righteousness – is one that will open hearts rather than shut them off.  As Solomon said in the book of Proverbs, “the mouth of the righteous is a u003cemu003ewell of lifeu003c/emu003e, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.  Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov.+10%3A11-12u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eProv. 10:11-12u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, if we are honest with ourselves today, a lot of the mess that we see being kicked up in our society today is being led by people who would claim to be a child of God.  I would suggest to you today that the stance against self-righteousness must begin first within ourselves and then to those that are closest to us; we must ensure that we and those closest to us are not moving out of self-righteousness and bitterness.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennA terrible truth that we must face today is that many of us can be like Job at times and have moments where we believe our righteousness is more than God’s righteousness and anybody else.  Hopefully in such days we have an Elihu that will take a stand of righteousness and point this sin out to us.  Hopefully, in such a day when those closest to you are acting out of self-righteousness, you can take a stand and point this out to them rather than ignore it.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eTrusting in the Lordu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAnother terrible truth we must face when it comes to self-righteousness is that self-righteous actions show a lack of trust in the Lord.  Do you not trust in the Lord?  Do you not trust in how the Lord is moving to the point that you feel you have to move u003cemu003efor u003c/emu003eHim?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennDo you not trust in how the Lord is moving to the point that you believe you know what is best for you and others?  It certainly feels like many people, especially those claiming to love and trust in Him, are moving in a manner that suggests they do not trust in Him.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe truly must become more trusting of the Lord; trust that all things are in His control and that His will shall be done.  In order for us to truly trust the Lord, we must, again, first humble ourselves and then be u003cemu003eobedient u003c/emu003eto His words.  This was the lesson that Job needed to learn in his day of grief, sorrow, and self-righteousness.  Of course, in the end, Job was greatly blessed and received more than what he once had.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI believe today that all of us should we humble ourselves and let go of self-righteousness and be more obedient to the Lord’s words, not only will we be wonderfully blessed but our society will be blessed as well.  Anger and hatred will begin to cease and more love and peace can enter into picture.  We will finally be able to treat each other better!  Doing otherwise will lead to no progress, and just more hurt and suffering.  Let us take a stand and let go of self-righteousness.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e