The Pastor’s File

“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. ” - Job 1:1

A I began to read the book of Job this week, I came to the familiar verse that opens the book and introduces us to its main character.  I was struck with the fact that Job’s life was summarized by God in a single verse of twenty-eight words.  I thought  for a while on how God would summarize my life in only one verse..

Every Christian should be challenged and motivated by this potent description of the man Job.

1.  He was perfect.  The Biblical concept of being perfect is that of completeness.  Like us, Job had a variety of roles and responsibilities to fulfill, and he was found to be complete.  Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines this word as, “complete in moral excellencies.”  Albert Barnes explains, “It denotes that in which there is no part lacking to complete the whole - as in a watch in which no wheel is wanting.”

This should be a challenge to us to examine our lives and find the areas that are wanting.  What am I neglecting?  What has God instructed me to do that is not being done?  What part of my character is not developed as it should be?

2.  He was upright.  Job was a man of integrity.  He was honest, sincere, righteous, and principled.  A man that is upright is one that consistently acts upon a set of clear moral principles.  This virtue is becoming more difficult to find in our American culture, but for a disciple of Christ, uprightness must be his manner of walking through life.

Once again we are challenged to search our own character and find where this uprightness is lacking.  Do we live lives of moral principle.?  Do we act in a certain way because it is right?  We should not look for the comfortable, easy, popular, or profitable way.  We must always look for the right way and follow it because it is right, no matter the consequence.  Remember the LORD is more concerned with obedience than sacrifice, 1 Samuel 15:22.

3.  He feared God.  The fear of God is one of the most important virtues taught in the Scriptures.  However, it is one of the least understood and practiced virtues of this generation.  Noah Webster defined it this way:

“In good men, the fear of God is a holy awe or reverence of God and His laws, which springs from a just view and real love of the divine character, leading the subjects of it to hate and shun everything that can offend such a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience.”

I am convinced that if God’s people began to live in the proper fear of God, the church would see a revival unlike anything in recent history.  Our lives today are so removed from a fear of God that we have accepted lukewarmness as a way of life.  We must get in the Word and see the LORD for who He really is.  We must develop an awe of His holiness and exalted position above creation.  We must begin to be offended at sin once again.  We must shun anything that would offend the LORD and aim at perfect obedience to His will.

4.  He eschewed evil.  The word eschew simply means to flee from, shun, or avoid.  This character trait is a natural result of the fear of the Lord.  Where is the generation of Christians who avoid evil?  There are some who would push the borders of association with evil for the sake of evangelism or outreach.  I can applaud their motivation to reach more people, but their method is flawed.  We are called to eschew evil, not to befriend it.  Friendship with the world is enmity with God. - James 4:4

Some would argue that being serious about eschewing evil would offend many people, and turn off some to the gospel.  I would have to ask the question, Should we be primarily concerned with offending man or God?  We can love the lost without having to adopt or remain neutral to their evil ways.  The world’s problem is sin, and of all men, Christians must be serious about personal holiness.    We must eschew evil.

Job’s character is truly a challenge to me.  I hope it is a challenge to you.  Any thoughts?