Job's Story Is My Story - How Will It End?

“Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I will sin no more’? Or ‘I don’t know what evil I have done—tell me. If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’? [Job 34.31-32] 

Today, I am indicted by my own words from days gone by

Reader, unless you have the time to review everything below with me here, you might as well stop here and go on about your day.

However, if the passage above from Job stirs something in you (as it does me), please get in a quiet undisturbed place and commit some time to read and re-read the articles below. I believe it will be worth it. I believe the Holy Spirit will speak to you (as He is speaking to me) - IF - we are intentional to see and hear what is said...

Two articles from 2019 are: No One Wants To Repent, and No Forgiveness = No Faith.

Then, I Have Sinned, But I Will Sin No More was written in 2021.

And finally, from 2025, please read: Why Not Just Repent?

These articles represent much of my understanding of the book of Job as it has developed over the years. That understanding is that repentance is terribly underrated in my life and in the Church at large today. "Repentance" doesn't make for a very popular book or seminar topic. In fact, repentance doesn't make for a very popular sermon either - even though a single sermon could hardly touch the surface of the issue.

Job's story, to most people, reads like a fairy tale. And consequently, most people only give it "fairy tale" consideration. The story starts with some background, introduces Job, moves on to Job's tragedy, introduces other characters, reveals conflicts, and finally God speaks. And then, in the end, everyone lives happily ever after.

What most of us fail to see is that Job's story is our story. Not in every detail, but definitely in our attitude toward God and the subsequent religious conclusions we make, Job's story is indeed our story. Job's story is my story. How will it end?

We are tasked then, like Job, to make some repentant conclusions about our own lives... 

I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say. [Job 40.5]

I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. [Job 42.3b] 

The value of repentance in Job's life meant a complete reversal of all that went wrong. That is the same value of repentance in our lives... if we actually take the time to do it sincerely. Jesus was clear about the value of repentance and its role in the Kingdom of God:

“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” [Matthew 4.17] 

There is only one reason we do not experience the fullness of the Kingdom: because we do not effectively repent. It should be noted here that repentance is the foundation of faith.

And this is where we defend ourselves and each other saying, "But, we HAVE repented! - We DO believe!"

No, we have NOT repented, because true repentance brings the Kingdom of God in its fullness of power (faith that moves mountains - that restores brokenness). Jesus' life and miracles demonstrated what the Kingdom looks like. True repentance has no reservations and is the very basis of following Jesus:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

How my story ends depends upon me getting myself out of the picture altogether - repenting for everything that is my "own way," repenting for "carrying anything" besides my cross, and following Jesus - walking in His steps - doing exactly what He did.

Repentance is not an event, but rather, a lifestyle. Repentance is an attitude. However, repentance is not an attitude found on social media or in the general public. Repentance is an attitude found and maintained only in a quiet, undistracted, unhurried place with God. Repentance is highly focused and intentional. Repentance is what the Word of God leads us to. Repentance always precedes faith because faith comes from the Word of God that leads us to repentance before the Holy Father God.

Will we repent until we are restored? 

Name-it-and-claim-it folks declare, "Jesus paid it all!" only tagging repentance in passing. Dispensationalist folks declare, "It's all passed away!" (referring to miraculous restoration), and so also, only give repentance a token nod. Neither camp lives in the restoration Job's story presents - Job's story is nothing more than a fairy tale to them whether they admit it or not. It seems no one wants to intentionally "drill-down" in repentance until they strike real restoration...

Will you repent? Will I repent? How will our story end?

Father, if my prayer of repentance here is the end of it (as it has been so many times), I expect no change in my outcome. May I though be found intentionally repentant - giving up every way of my own; intentionally repentant - taking up my cross; intentionally repentant - following Jesus. So be it.