Clean in His Own Eyes

Proverbs 16:2 "All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits."

Have you ever noticed that anyone who really wants to can always find a Scripture to support his point of view? I recently dealt with such an one, who had focused in on a verse in Proverbs that allowed him, in his mind, to place all blame on the other party and justify his unwillingness to reconcile.  I knew this person to be a student of the Scriptures, and wondered how many times he had read Ephesians 4:32 concerning forgiveness, or Matthew 6:12, or Colossians 3:13, or any number of passages that tell us we are to seek forgiveness and restoration? I dare say he has probably even memorized some of them at one time or another.

All to no avail. Now he was angry, and his feelings were hurt. He intended to get even and he was determined to justify it even at the expense of the truth he undoubtedly knows. So life again demonstrates the proof of Scripture. "All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes." Solomon recorded it. Paul repeated it in 1 Corinthians 4:4. We should take note of it, not only for dealing with others but also for placing a guard on our own hearts. We are very, very good at fooling ourselves. But we cannot and will not fool our Father in heaven.  He "weighs the spirits", sees what's on the inside. And his judgement is perfect, truthful and accurate.

In this man's case, God knows he's angry and hurt. God knows why. And God is waiting--waiting for him to abandon his personal pity party and call out to God for the grace to do what's right, to forgive and go forward.  That's the path to a tender spirit and sweet fellowship. The alternative, to stay angry and unforgiving, is to walk the road to bitterness and destruction.

The Apostate

Proverbs 15:10 "Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die."

In my time as a Christian and pastor, I have known a number of folks who started well but didn't last very long. Claiming to a life change, they began to walk the walk, only to discover that the walk is a narrow way and not always easy. Like the seed in the parable of the sower, they sprout quickly, then find their faith consumed by the demands of real life. Such folks are a disappointment.

But as disappointing as they are, these are a far cry from the apostate; the one who turns from the way after many years in the faith. I have known a few, very few, fortunately, who after twenty-five or thirty or thirty-five years as faithful followers of the Lord have chosen to forsake him completely. For reasons usually known only to themselves, they turn their backs on years of fellowship with God and pitch their tents toward Sodom. They shed godliness as one takes off a raincoat, and any semblance to the new man is quickly consumed in selfish pursuits.

In Proverbs 15:10, the Bible tells us two things about such people. First, that correction is grievous to them. That is, chastisements, reproofs, and warnings don't simply fall on deaf ears, that are met with disdain and scorning. "I used to believe that, but I don't anymore," is the attitude of the apostate. Having forsaken both the way of God and the God of the way, they consider any attempt to correct them as an intrusion. They may be polite about it, but they will not hear.

The second thing the Bible tells us is that "he that hateth reproof shall die."  There are serious consequences to rejecting the way. There is a principle of sowing and reaping that the apostate knows, but rejects as being applicable to his own life. What's the old saying, "If God said it, it's true, and it doesn't matter whether I believe it or not."

O, brother, forsake not the way of the Lord. Remember what Peter said, when asked by the Lord if he would also leave Him. "To whom would we go, Lord? Thou hast the words of eternal life."

God Gives the Increase

Acts 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

Paul had finally arrived at Rome, and, after calling the Jewish leaders to visit with him in his place of confinement, he explained why he was to be presented before Caesar. Describing the circumstances, Paul confessed that he was a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, the “hope of Israel”. Hearing this, the Jews were interested, having heard of “that way” and noting that it was universally condemned by the brethren.

So they set a day, and a number of them came to Paul again, and Paul “expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.” What a sermon that must have been! The apostle Paul, without question one of the finest evangelists and apologists who ever walked, preaching and teaching from the Old Testament Scriptures from morning til evening! Imagine getting all of the doctrine of the Pauline epistles, together with an exposition of most of the Old Testament, in one day. The analogy of drinking water from a fire house immediately comes to mind. It would be a lot to swallow all at once. He “persuaded them concerning Jesus”. I don’t believe Paul was holding anything back here (see verses 24-27. The apostle was truly distressed by their reaction.)   And yet, sadly, verse 24 gives us the summary: “And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.”

Readers of this story would rejoice, and rightfully so, over the ones who did believe. I am certain Paul began to disciple these believers and help them move forward in their walk with the Lord. I know from the Scriptures that there was a church at Rome, and no doubt these new believers were well cared for and nourished in their faith. But there is another lesson here. Preached to for an entire day by the great apostle, urged to repent and trust Christ, there were yet a significant number who simply would not or could not believe. Presented with the truth of the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit, they simply turned away.

What a vivid reminder of the Scripture in 1 Corinthians 3:7, “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” Brethren, we probably don’t preach with the knowledge and power of Paul. But even if we did, there would still be those who hearing would not hear, and seeing would not see. Do we quit because they will not hear? Of course not. We preach because it is given to us, yea, rather it is even commanded, that we carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. And so we go, and witness and preach. God gives the increase where and when He chooses. Praise His Name!

Elihu

Job 32-37

All the while job was having this deep theological discussion with his three friends there was also present one very interested and intense bystander. Elihu, younger by his own admission, had shown respect unto his elders while listening to them fail in their efforts to convince Job of his sinfulness. When they finally gave up, and Job’s words were ended, Elihu can stand it no more.

Job 32:19 “Behold, my belly is as new wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.”

He goes on to criticize both Job and his friends for their primitive understanding of God. For Job to accuse God of being unjust was the height of ingratitude and effrontery. God was so much higher than Job, and his thoughts higher, as to be irreproachable by any man (Job 34:18). Elihu assures Job that although we cannot understand God’s ways, His ways are absolutely correct always.
Elihu’s view of the situation is somewhat higher than that of either Job or his three friends. Of the group described, surely he has the best understanding of the true nature of God. He alone of Job’s friends was not criticized by God at the end of the book. There is much to learn from Elihu considering the nature of God and trouble in the lives of Christian people.

The Words of Job are Ended

Text: Job 25-31

In chapter 25, only 6 verses, Bildad sums up the accusations against Job. “How then can a man be justified with God? Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?” Job, he says, it is simply not possible for you to be as righteous as you claim. No man is righteous. You are a sinner, and you have suffered the things you have suffered as a result.

Chapters 26-31 record Job’s own summation. In short, he considers himself to be as righteous as any man can be, and his fall to be unjust. Chapter 27:6 states, “My righteousness I hold fast, and I will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.” In chapter 31:35, Job laments, “Oh, that one would hear me! Behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.” Job claims to understand God and His justice, affirms His own righteousness before God, and desires some sort of explanation of his condition. Concluding his arguments, 31:40 ends with “The words of Job are ended.”

Eliphaz, Round 2

TEXT: Job 22-24

Eliphaz continues the diagnosis of Job’s dilemma in chapter 22. He really has nothing new to add to the discussion, just rehearses that which has already been voiced. Job is a sinner (v. 5 “Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?”). God is a wise and just judge, who judges the wicked with just such calamaties as Job has experienced. Therefore Job must be wicked. All he needs to do now to experience God’s blessings again is to repent (v. 23, “If thou return ot the Almighty, thou shalt be built up…).

Job’s response in chapter 23 and 24 begins with despair that he is unable to reason with God, that God has made Himself inaccessible. In the midst of the complaining, he affirms his innocense in 24:10 “…When he has tried me, I will come forth as gold”. Job continues in chapter 24 to describe God’s workings on the earth, agreeing with his friends that God judges evil, but disputing with them when and how that judgment may come. He is certain that, in his case, he is judged unjustly.

It’s easy to find yourself in Job’s place when troubles and trials come. Job’s understanding of God is revealed in the crucuble of difficulty. God will take care of me because I am worthy. Though his spirit says, “though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him, his heart is here revealed to be, “If only I could plead my case with Him, He would see my righteousness.”

Job has faith, without question. But the object of his faith is not God alone, but God and his own righteousness.

Too Many Anomalies

TEXT: Job 20-21, Galatians 4-6

In Zophar’s second condemnation of Job’s sinfulness (chapter 20), he more or less repeats the previous arguments, that God judges wicked men. Job has obviously been judged, and therefore Job must be wicked.

In chapter 21, Job answers this charge with a description of reality. “Look around you”, Job says, “do you not see that the wicked prosper?” In fact, many of them do extremely well. As a result of their prosperity, they reject God (v. 15). Job agrees with Asaph (Psalm 73) that God will judge the wicked one day, but it is clear it may not be in this life, or in the way that Job’s comforters understand. Job concludes in verse 34 that his friends are simply wrong.

Jesus furthered Job’s cause in the sermon on the Mount, when He declared that God caused it to rain, “on the just and the unjust”. God gives good things to bad people, with the intention that His goodness might lead them to repentance. Some repent, and some, unfortunately, see God’s blessings on their rebellious lifestyles as evidence that He doesn’t care, or worse, doesn’t exist.