Job’s friends had a very shallow and careless theology.
Eliphaz Claimed he had a word from God about Job’s sin, “Now a word came to me secretly. My ears caught a whisper of it.” Job 4:12
Bildad brought accusation against Job’s deceased children! “When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.” Job 8:4
Zophar is the harshest voice of three: “Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.” Job 11:6 He’s saying, “You deserve worse!”
Job’s response is classic:
Job 16:2 …miserable comforters are you all.
Without compassion our convictions become weaponized. All three of these men had oversimplified legalistic conclusions that were more aware of God’s Law than God’s Love!
Romans 3:20 “…through the law we become conscious of our sin.” NIV
There are two times in the Bible where Jesus marveling at someone’s faith. Neither were Jews. These stories are found in Matthew 8 and Matthew 15:
Matt 8:8-10 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. NIV
Matt 15:22-28 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." 23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." 25 The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. 26 He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." 27 "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. NIV
This Centurion Roman Soldier and this Canaanite woman have something in common and it is significant to notice. They were Gentiles with no awareness of the Law.
The two people with exceptional faith that captured the attention of Jesus were more aware of God’s love than God’s Laws.
Once we’re aware of our sin, grace can then have its work teaching us to say no to sin as we look to Jesus (Titus 2:11-12).
If you’ve ever seen a dog that was so happy you came home until you walked into the presence of something the dog had chewed up the mood suddenly changes. All the joy suddenly disappears. I’ve even seen dogs of ours flip over on the floor as if to say, “I’m not worthy of your love because of the mistake I made.” This is how we commonly feel in the presence of The Master when we reflect on our mistakes. To do this is actually a mistake in and of itself.
It is God’s relational kindness that leads us to repentance. Romans 2:4
Jesus wants to have a relationship with you!!! He will meet you right where you are. Stop acting like a dog that chewed up a shoe before God.
GP2RL: Take some time to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of your life where you have exchanged God’s gracious truth for any condemning lie.
