Date:
Friday,
June 05, 2015
Chapters: Job 33-35
Message Title: Criticized By Other Christians
Hello My Friend,
As Christians we face all kinds of criticism, from those who reject the existence of God to those who make up their own version of who they believe Him to be. And, it's one thing to be criticized by those who do not know God or think they know Him, and another to be criticized by those who are just like us. So, what do we do when our very own kind tries to point out every fault we have or what they perceive to be a fault, and tries to put us in our place, even saying it was from God? Give it all over to God. He will tell us how to handle them and make them take care of their own sin. “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.” - Matthew 7:1-5.
It was bad enough that Job had three of his friends calling him a hypocrite and liar, here comes Elihu, for someone who just sat there for days observing everything the four men said to each other, he didn't hear much. The best and most accurate thing he said was that God formed him and gave him life. “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up. Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee. Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,” - Job 33:4-9,14-16.
We dream all night long, but very rarely do we remember what is buried in our subconscious, except once in a while when we are about to wake up. Even then we only remember bits and pieces of what the dream was about. Every once in a while we get vivid dreams, as though they truly happened, and wonder where they even came from. God does form each and every one of us, and it is God that gives every one of us the breath of life. However, to be truly without transgression, we need a Saviour, someone who truly is righteous and without transgression, that Saviour is Jesus Christ. Once we accept Him and take Him into our lives the Spirit of God moves in us and warns us of transgressions and iniquity that we need to confess in order for God to hear our prayers and answer us. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” - 1 John 1:7-10.
At first Elihu made a little bit of sense, then it all went down hill from there, he began accusing Job of things he thought he comprehended by his response to his friends accusations. “Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression. What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God. He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.” - Job 34:2-7,23-25.
His accusations against Job were, at best, half-truths and misinterpretations. When I was reading this chapter I had to reread a couple of verses because I thought I was reading something wrong, I knew Job did not say, “It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.” What he said was, speaking about the wicked who prosper and do not think they need anything from God, “Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?” - Job 21:14,15.
Have you ever had someone completely twist what you said around? Imagine how God feels about those who twist His Word around? People get into huge debates over God's Word, they quote verses after verses to back up their claim. Sometimes I wonder what Bible they are reading because that is not what I read. The truth is, until Jesus gets here people will not stop using God in a way to convince others, who really have no idea what He is all about to believe their lies. If we are truly reading God's Word, cover to cover, on a normal basis, we will learn who is truly speaking the truth from the Word of God and someone who is not. Keep in mind that a saved and baptized person studing and living in God's Word will hear the truth more than one who is not. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9,10,14.
Elihu continues to judge Job, this time, trying to get the other three friends to side with him. “Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's? For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin? I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee. Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou. If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man. By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.” - Job 35:2-9.
Job really did not say that he was sinless, he just said that he did not do anything that caused the affliction he was under. Perhaps Job did say some things out of discouragement, but there is not one Christian that does not get discouraged once in a while when there is no explained answer for the affliction. When we become afflicted and everyone seems to be judging us in every direction, that is when we need to get under the wings of Christ. He truly is the only one who can lift us up when everyone is trying to keep us down. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” - Hebrews 12:1-3,11.
Today's Prayer: God, I want to live my life according to Your Word, the things that I go through are not always about Your judgment or tests, but about trusting You and believing that You can do anything You say You can do. When I am being persecuted, afflicted, or judged by others, help me to respond with the knowledge that You have given me, and let me not be taken by their half truths. Keep me around people who know Your Word truthfully and keep me in Your Word to let the Holy Spirit be my guide as I study to be approved by You. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Chapters: Job 33-35
Message Title: Criticized By Other Christians
Hello My Friend,
As Christians we face all kinds of criticism, from those who reject the existence of God to those who make up their own version of who they believe Him to be. And, it's one thing to be criticized by those who do not know God or think they know Him, and another to be criticized by those who are just like us. So, what do we do when our very own kind tries to point out every fault we have or what they perceive to be a fault, and tries to put us in our place, even saying it was from God? Give it all over to God. He will tell us how to handle them and make them take care of their own sin. “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.” - Matthew 7:1-5.
It was bad enough that Job had three of his friends calling him a hypocrite and liar, here comes Elihu, for someone who just sat there for days observing everything the four men said to each other, he didn't hear much. The best and most accurate thing he said was that God formed him and gave him life. “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up. Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee. Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,” - Job 33:4-9,14-16.
We dream all night long, but very rarely do we remember what is buried in our subconscious, except once in a while when we are about to wake up. Even then we only remember bits and pieces of what the dream was about. Every once in a while we get vivid dreams, as though they truly happened, and wonder where they even came from. God does form each and every one of us, and it is God that gives every one of us the breath of life. However, to be truly without transgression, we need a Saviour, someone who truly is righteous and without transgression, that Saviour is Jesus Christ. Once we accept Him and take Him into our lives the Spirit of God moves in us and warns us of transgressions and iniquity that we need to confess in order for God to hear our prayers and answer us. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” - 1 John 1:7-10.
At first Elihu made a little bit of sense, then it all went down hill from there, he began accusing Job of things he thought he comprehended by his response to his friends accusations. “Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression. What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God. He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.” - Job 34:2-7,23-25.
His accusations against Job were, at best, half-truths and misinterpretations. When I was reading this chapter I had to reread a couple of verses because I thought I was reading something wrong, I knew Job did not say, “It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.” What he said was, speaking about the wicked who prosper and do not think they need anything from God, “Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?” - Job 21:14,15.
Have you ever had someone completely twist what you said around? Imagine how God feels about those who twist His Word around? People get into huge debates over God's Word, they quote verses after verses to back up their claim. Sometimes I wonder what Bible they are reading because that is not what I read. The truth is, until Jesus gets here people will not stop using God in a way to convince others, who really have no idea what He is all about to believe their lies. If we are truly reading God's Word, cover to cover, on a normal basis, we will learn who is truly speaking the truth from the Word of God and someone who is not. Keep in mind that a saved and baptized person studing and living in God's Word will hear the truth more than one who is not. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9,10,14.
Elihu continues to judge Job, this time, trying to get the other three friends to side with him. “Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's? For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin? I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee. Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou. If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man. By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.” - Job 35:2-9.
Job really did not say that he was sinless, he just said that he did not do anything that caused the affliction he was under. Perhaps Job did say some things out of discouragement, but there is not one Christian that does not get discouraged once in a while when there is no explained answer for the affliction. When we become afflicted and everyone seems to be judging us in every direction, that is when we need to get under the wings of Christ. He truly is the only one who can lift us up when everyone is trying to keep us down. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” - Hebrews 12:1-3,11.
Today's Prayer: God, I want to live my life according to Your Word, the things that I go through are not always about Your judgment or tests, but about trusting You and believing that You can do anything You say You can do. When I am being persecuted, afflicted, or judged by others, help me to respond with the knowledge that You have given me, and let me not be taken by their half truths. Keep me around people who know Your Word truthfully and keep me in Your Word to let the Holy Spirit be my guide as I study to be approved by You. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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