The Time of Job

Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.

Job 17:9 (NIV)

Many people read the book of Job and see in him a man who never harmed anyone; in other words, he never sinned. And if he did, it wasn't a serious sin likely to attract God's attention and punish him. They rely on God's affirmation of his integrity and righteousness (Job 1:8), and on his arguments to his friends to defend himself. Throughout the story, they see a godly man, free from immorality, wickedness, and any other act condemned by the Bible. And they all believe they are right.

Was Job truly a holy and sinless man by God's standard? Actually, no. The arguments put forward in his defense focused more on his moral values ​​compared to the people of his time. The people of his time were abandoning God's way to live in idolatry and covetousness in all its forms. Taking this into account, God declared him righteous. Although Job did not know God personally, he feared Him because of what he had heard about Him. This is what drew God's attention to Job, to the point of calling him His servant.

Today, you have the same privilege as Job, and even more. God considered his morality compared to those of his time to declare him righteous. But for you, He simply overlooked your sins, looking at the sacrifice of His Son, to declare you righteous and sanctify you. Your responsibility is to live according to God's righteousness. This means accepting that you are a sinner and that it is by grace that God has forgiven and cleansed you from your sins. Having clean hands means distancing yourself from anything that could lead you to sin against God. In Job's time, he had to prove himself; today, you simply have to accept God's grace.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.