He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through. It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him. All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle. The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him. The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath. This is the portion of a wicked man from GOD, and the heritage appointed unto him by GOD. (Job 20:24-29)
Zophar responds to Job's pointed rejection of his counsel and advice by doubling down on his opinion that the wicked perish and do not prosper in this world, so Job must be wicked. He was totally incorrect in application of GOD'S Judgment of sin, and ignored the reality in his own world, as well as the timing of GOD'S patience and long-suffering that sinners may repent. Zophar condemned the wicked without mercy, rejected any idea that sinners often prosper in the sin for a season, that not every one is bothered or convicted by their sin, and failed to consider the testing and trials which GOD may put us through to make us stronger.
Many things may come upon the wicked, those that have truly rejected GOD and the ardently opposed to Him, but even the most hardhearted person can be saved by the power of GOD, the Word of GOD, and the Spirit which convicts and points people to Christ. Many things also happen to His saints, as He allows, either because He is testing their faith, as in this case, or because He is drawing His people closer to Himself. This life is full of evil and calamities, and GOD can direct events because He is Sovereign, but He also allows other events simply to happen in this world that is broken and dying because of our sin against Him. Death occurs because sin brings death and rebellion brings judgment. Sin occurs because we are sinners and our nature without the new life which Christ gives those who are His leads us to sin in this lost and sinful world.
We who have repented of our sin, because we acknowledged our sin and its awful consequences before a righteous and Holy GOD, and received His forgiveness by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary were made a new creature in Him, with a new life and a new nature, and liberty to live in Him the life which we were all meant to live. That does not mean every thing will be perfect, just ask Job, but that GOD will be with us all the way, and He will carry us through whatever He directs and allows to come our way, for His honour and Glory and that we might be made more like Him until He is done with us and takes us Home to be with Him.
Until that day, all those who are secure in Him, not because of our righteousness, but because of His bestowed upon us, are to serve Him and do His will in this world and accomplish His work while we sojourn here. We are to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are to love one another in fellowship and ministry, and disciple one another in His Word that we may be equipped, encouraged, and edified to the work of the ministry and the exhortation of the saints. We are to go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit which dwells within us, and as we go where He sends us, to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son that those who repent and believe in Him might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Many things may come upon the wicked, those that have truly rejected GOD and the ardently opposed to Him, but even the most hardhearted person can be saved by the power of GOD, the Word of GOD, and the Spirit which convicts and points people to Christ. Many things also happen to His saints, as He allows, either because He is testing their faith, as in this case, or because He is drawing His people closer to Himself. This life is full of evil and calamities, and GOD can direct events because He is Sovereign, but He also allows other events simply to happen in this world that is broken and dying because of our sin against Him. Death occurs because sin brings death and rebellion brings judgment. Sin occurs because we are sinners and our nature without the new life which Christ gives those who are His leads us to sin in this lost and sinful world.
We who have repented of our sin, because we acknowledged our sin and its awful consequences before a righteous and Holy GOD, and received His forgiveness by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary were made a new creature in Him, with a new life and a new nature, and liberty to live in Him the life which we were all meant to live. That does not mean every thing will be perfect, just ask Job, but that GOD will be with us all the way, and He will carry us through whatever He directs and allows to come our way, for His honour and Glory and that we might be made more like Him until He is done with us and takes us Home to be with Him.
Until that day, all those who are secure in Him, not because of our righteousness, but because of His bestowed upon us, are to serve Him and do His will in this world and accomplish His work while we sojourn here. We are to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. We are to love one another in fellowship and ministry, and disciple one another in His Word that we may be equipped, encouraged, and edified to the work of the ministry and the exhortation of the saints. We are to go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit which dwells within us, and as we go where He sends us, to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son that those who repent and believe in Him might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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