You think you’re better than I am, using my humiliation as evidence of my sin. [Job 19.5]
Pride is a strange sin. It takes every opportunity to point out the sins of others. But, it also vehemently defends itself in the midst of sin's punishment.
In Job's statement above, he creates an aversion to the obvious fact that his humiliation was indeed evidence of his sin by accusing his friend of pride in pointing it out. That is an argument that cannot be won by either side!
It is important for us to understand that pride will ALWAYS advance an argument to the point of this accusatory question: "What right do you have to accuse me?" In other words, "I am accusing you of accusing me!"
I wish I did not know this to be true by my own experience!
It is worth nothing here that Satan is identified in this very story of Job as the Accuser:
One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. [Job 1.6]
NEVER ARE WE MORE LIKE SATAN THAN WHEN WE ACCUSE ANOTHER PERSON!
If we could only be focused on spreading the Good News as Luke records it:
It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ [Luke 24.47]
Unforgiveness is nothing but pure pride. In fact, it could easily be said that the opposite of forgiveness IS pride.
Jesus, Who forgave the world of sin, did what?
...he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. [Philippians 2.8]
What is missing in Job's and his friends' conversation is humility and forgiveness. In their pride, there is no empathy. In their pride, there is no sympathy.
The Good News is not that people sin, but that, in their sin, there is forgiveness for those who repent.
Forgiveness is the work of God. Consequently, NEVER ARE WE MORE LIKE GOD (JESUS) THAN WHEN WE FORGIVE!
If we learn nothing of the story of Job and his friends, we should at least understand that accusations are driven by pride, and God hates pride. In fact, pride is listed first in the list of things God HATES!
There are six things the Lord hates— no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, [Proverbs 6.16-18]
As helpful as we might feign to be in pointing out others' sins, we will accomplish far more good in forgiving them and comforting them as God deals with their sin (it will happen).
Father, help us all to understand true forgiveness that does not overlook others' sin, but instead offers to carry its just and necessary punishment on behalf of the sinner. Help us to understand Jesus.
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