Holding On To My Faith
BRD REFLECTIONS:
(Liu Yanxia (MM Children Ministry Leader)
READ:
Job 22:4-5 (NIV)
4 “Is it for your piety that he rebukes you
and brings charges against you?
5 Is not your wickedness great?
Are not your sins endless?
OBSERVE:
These two verses presented as rhetorical questions from the Book of Job resonate with me. My husband and I are both Christians, and I came to faith a year before he did. I remember that shortly after my conversion, we had a minor disagreement due to differing interpretations of Scripture and worldly viewpoints. My initial reaction was to counter him with Scripture and sternly tell him, “Your understanding and perspective are not pleasing to God; you have strayed from the spiritual truth!” My husband remained silent.
One day, after a discipleship class studying the Book of Job, as we were walking home, my husband suddenly asked me, “What are your thoughts on Job’s three friends? Can you sense Job’s inner turmoil?” I was astonished and fell into deep reflection…
APPLY:
In the Scripture, Eliphaz unceremoniously accuses Job, asserting that his suffering must be a result of his sins, even though there is no evidence to support this claim. This line of thinking resembles the principle of the Prosperity Gospel: that God gladly and willingly blesses His people or the righteous, and thus, His people will inevitably succeed and prosper. Conversely, if one cannot succeed or suffers, it must be because they have sinned before God. The understanding of this principle does not sit well with me.
Reflecting on my early faith, I realise I was much like Eliphaz, firmly believing that God punishes the wicked and those who are spiritually wrong while considering myself the one who best understands God’s will. I might be able to recite Bible verses from memory; I might think of myself as the one upholding God’s justice; I might feel that I am securely walking in the path of truth. Yet, I fail to see that I have positioned myself on a moral high ground, freely criticising others’ faults and concluding that they need to repent and turn to God, all the while excluding myself from the realm of sin, unaware of my own wrongdoing. This behaviour itself is sinful.
DO:
In Job 22, Eliphaz’s perspective doesn’t seem to apply to Job; however, as a modern Christian, I find it to be of positive significance. It serves as an important reminder for me to cast aside the values I deem right and good in my own eyes into the dust, humble myself, and value God above all to receive His grace and salvation.
PRAY:
Loving Heavenly Father, thank You for helping me to see through my own standard of self-righteousness, and making me aware that I may have acted like Eliphaz, passing judgement on others. I pray that You help me remain humble before You, holding on to my faith during difficulties and adversity, close off any openings to prevent Satan’s intrusion, and gain victory through the Lord. May I walk in the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
