Three Advantages of The Believer

Introduction to the Three Advantages

Tonight, we take a break from our study in Hebrews to discuss three concepts that have been on my mind—three advantages in the Christian faith. These advantages benefit our lives spiritually and glorify God. They apply to everyday life and eternal life, permeating key areas: marriage, evangelism, ministry (or body life), and our personal relationship with God, including enjoyment of Him and sanctification.

The three advantages are:

1. The Word of God
2. The Ministry of Prayer
3. The Fear of God

First Advantage: The Word of God

We live in a society bombarded by beliefs and philosophies that downplay the necessity of God's Word. People rely on private interpretations of reality—if it feels good, it must be true. But the Bible reveals profound truths and God's plan for His glory and the redemption of believers. For non-believers, it offers salvation. God has given us His Word as an advantage.

The Bible declares its own advantageous nature in 2 Timothy 3:16-17:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The word "profitable" means "advantageous." Scripture is God-breathed and advantageous for:

• Doctrine: Knowing what to believe and why—establishing orthodoxy.
• Reproof: Exposing and convincing us of wrongdoing, convicting us of sin.
• Correction: Improving us, like repairing a city's walls under siege to endure life's attacks through Christ's grace.
• Instruction in righteousness: Equipping us completely for good works.

Another description is in Psalm 1:2-3, regarding the blessed man:

His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

This man delights in God's law and meditates—plots his life—day and night, like a planner studying blueprints. The result? He thrives and makes progress (not necessarily financial prosperity). In marriage, plotting by the Word overcomes repeated issues through gospel motivation. In evangelism, ministry, and personal sanctification, it produces steadfastness, fruitfulness, and quality of life, glorifying God.

Second Advantage: The Ministry of Prayer

A prayerless Christian is a contradiction, like a stillborn child. Prayer is the breath of the new nature, as the Word is its food. The early church was birthed in prayer. Christ grants us access to God through His death and resurrection.

God testifies powerfully in Luke 18:7:

And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?

God recognizes His children crying out and vindicates them—justifies them, as in Romans 8:33: no one can bring a charge against God's elect because God justifies. Prayer day and night (like meditating on the Word) leads to blamelessness—not sinlessness, but walking unblamable before God.

Prayer recognizes our need for God, grants no confidence in the flesh, and applies faith. It is us speaking to God as the Word is God speaking to us—bowing to Christ's lordship, abhorring sin, seeking mercy. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This produces blamelessness, the greatest advantage in marriage, evangelism, ministry, work, and personal life—God acting on our behalf.

Third Advantage: The Fear of God

The fear of the Lord is not a temporary stage but the foundation of wisdom and a house—everything builds on it. It is properly understanding God as revealed in Scripture, resulting in properly understanding ourselves: God as Creator, Lord, Savior, Judge, Sovereign; man as lowly creature.

It means giving God proper worship, awe, reverence. Job exemplified this. God boasted of Job fearing God, which Satan attacked. After losing family, possessions, and health, Job declared in Job 1:21:

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

And in Job 2:10, to his wife: Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity? Job did not sin. Fearing God prioritizes worshiping and glorifying Him above all, caring about His pleasure.

Ecclesiastes repeatedly asks, "What advantage does man have?" Its conclusion in Ecclesiastes 12:13 is:

Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.

Proverbs echoes: fear of the Lord prolongs life, gives confidence, is a fountain of life, better than treasure, instructs in wisdom, keeps from evil, leads to life.

The absence of fear? Psalm 36:1: Transgression speaks to the ungodly in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. Transgression counsels the heart; self becomes preeminent.

But 2 Corinthians 7:1 urges:

Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

The promises (2 Corinthians 6:16-18) are God's dwelling with us as Father, we as sons and daughters. Fearing God accompanies salvation, moves us from sin to Him, creating intimate relationship with the Creator who sustains our breath.

The Word of God, devoted prayer, and fearing God—recognizing Him as God and us as not—are profound advantages for life, godliness, and His glory.