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The Amish Voice 12
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When I was a child, I thought of God as a
vague (unclear), faraway being who wanted
something from me. To be honest, I was a bit
confused. I knew there was a problem with
sin, but that didn’t stop me and I really didn’t
know how to stop doing the wrong that I did.
So, I kept asking God to forgive me for my
sins, hoping and praying that at Judgment He
would remember that I asked for forgiveness,
thinking that asking for forgiveness was the
solution.
This type of thinking is no different than the
world’s concept of right and wrong. It’s
commonly thought that we should do good
things, and that as a just God, He will reward
us with heaven because we tried. It’s been
said that we must do the best we know, and
that is what we’ll be held accountable too.
Many preachers falsely teach this incredible
lie.
My friends, the Bible teaches us another
way. In this column we’re going to look at
some key verses which point to a wonderful
Savior, who indeed has ransomed (delivered)
us from our debt. The man Job also thought
doing good things was the requirement and
that he should be rewarded for his works.
Let’s take a closer look at some verses from
the book of Job.
Job 1:1—There was a man in the land of Uz,
whose name was Job; and
that man was
perfect and upright
, and one that feared
God, and eschewed evil.
Notice that the verse says he was perfect.
Then, with the permission of God (Job 1:12),
Satan wreaks havoc on Job’s life, taking
away all he had. Job starts to complain:
Job 3:3—Let the day perish wherein I was
born, and the night in which it was said,
There is a man child conceived.
(The child
he is referring to is himself)
Job’s friends came to comfort him, but spoke
critical words that God himself condemned
them for (Job 42:7). After much back and
forth between Job’s three older friends and
himself, the younger Elihu speaks up:
Job 32:2—Then was kindled the wrath of
Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the
kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath
kindled,
because he justified himself rather
than God.
Job 35:4-8—...Look unto the heavens, and
see; and behold the clouds which are higher
than thou. If thou sinnest, what doest thou
against Him? or if thy transgressions [wrong
doings] be multiplied, what doest thou unto
Him? If thou be righteous, what givest thou
Him? or what receiveth He of thine hand?
Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art;
and thy righteousness may profit the son of
man.
After much painful truth, Elihu finishes his
message. The Lord confirms Elihu’s speak-
ing by asking many questions; asking Job to
justify his bold proclamation that his good
works should count for something:
Job 38:3-4 Gird up now thy loins like a man;
for I will demand of thee, and answer thou
me. Where wast thou when I laid the founda-
tions of the earth? declare, if thou hast un-
derstanding…
—continued on page 11—
Is Your Best Good Enough for God?
— by J. Martin