The Arrogance of Sin - The Surprise of God's Love

My daily devotions have recently been in the book of Job. One of the things I appreciate about this book is that it shines a clear light on the ugly truth about human nature. Job is assaulted by the attacks of the evil one and does not understand why he, a man who has served the Lord throughout his life, is suffering. Three of Job’s friends come to comfort him, but end up accusing him. Their main point was, “If you are suffering, you must have sinned and God is punishing you.” What kind of comfort is that?? Also interestingly, while God’s word is true, the words of these men are false. God himself later scolds them for how they describe the Lord of the Universe as lacking mercy.

But, I have finished reading the counsel of these 3 friends. As I read now, another younger friend, Elihu, upbraids Job and his friends for their lack of faith and trust in God. Elihu, like the other men, is human and does not totally understand the Sovereign Lord. But, in Elihu’s words I hear truth about the depravity we all fight. In Job 35 Elihu points out Job’s lack of faith as he questions why he suffers. Listen to Elihu, “13 Surely God does not hear an empty cry, nor does the Almighty regard it. 14 How much less when you say that you do not see him, that the case is before him, and you are waiting for him! 15 And now, because his anger does not punish, and he does not take much note of transgression, 16 Job opens his mouth in empty talk; he multiplies words without knowledge." (Job 35:13-16) Do you understand? God could have indeed punished Job for all his failure. But the Lord has been slow to anger in Job’s case. Yet, because God was merciful, Job interprets God’s mercy as a lack of response to Job’s prayer. So Job then accuses his Creator of not coming to care for him. When we accuse God, we display the arrogance of sin.

In the next chapter, Elihu gives another look into the evil of men’s hearts. “13 "The godless in heart cherish anger; they do not cry for help when he binds them. (Job 36:13) “Cherishing anger” is foolish, and a way to revel in our self-centeredness. Again, when people become angry with their Creator, Judge, and merciful Lord, we see the arrogance of sin!

What catches my attention as I read this section of God’s Word, is that Elihu is telling the truth even about people of faith, people who seek the Lord. In the book of Job, even as these men attempts to understand and to describe God, they fail!

Isaiah shares this truth of our sin and depravity in a shorter verse. “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” (Isaiah 64:6 a) This verse draws a picture of us as dirty, sinful, and without hope. Even our attempts at righteousness are tainted. Unfortunately, this sad truth is not only true of those who do not know God. Even followers of our Lord fail miserably.

Our natural response is that our Lord should therefore judge us and be done with us. HOWEVER, listen to these verses.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17)

“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)

Job helps us understand the truth that even those seeking God fail. Therefore, how much must God love us that He knows our sin, yet sends His own Son for sinner like us!?

This coming Sunday I will preach on the Epistle lesson. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 John. 3:1) What amazes me is that, even knowing our depravity, God still loves us. He still counts us as His children!