Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief. Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased? (Job 16:3-6)
Because of his friends counsel, with its many theological and personal errors and misapplications, Job was not comforted in his suffering at all. As much as they thought they were helping, Job was getting tired of hearing their admonishments and theories. He pointed out that he could be like them and pile on with the tongue lashings, but he knew it was better to be kind and truly comforting with our words. He echoed the psalmist who wanted his words and the meditations of his heart which led to those words to be pleasing to GOD. His friends words were wounding him, making his grief worse, and had even added to his tears.
Our speech ought to be seasoned with salt and full of truth, spoken in love. There may be times for plain and direct words which rebuke, reprove, or correct, but always in love and charity. When we speak the Oracles of GOD it ought to be rightly divided and fitly spoken that we may glorify GOD and edify the hearer. The example of Job's friends shows us that even when we are theologically correct, we can fail to comfort or instruct properly because our knowledge is incomplete, or our use of the Scripture is misapplied. Neither is pleasing to our LORD who has taught us to study His Word, not for knowledge sake, which puffs up, but that we might lovingly edify and encourage those around us even in correction, as we all grow up in Christ.
Those who have never received Christ by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary by faith and repentance cannot receive the things of the Spirit of GOD which are spiritually discerned. GOD has called us, as ambassadors of Christ, to take the Word of reconciliation and righteousness and with the providence of GOD minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. Our Lord has commanded us to love one another as He first loved us and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD that we may all be conformed to the image of His dear Son. We are commissioned to His service and as His witnesses to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world that they might be saved, and as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit proclaim the Good News of forgiveness of sin through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son that they 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
Our speech ought to be seasoned with salt and full of truth, spoken in love. There may be times for plain and direct words which rebuke, reprove, or correct, but always in love and charity. When we speak the Oracles of GOD it ought to be rightly divided and fitly spoken that we may glorify GOD and edify the hearer. The example of Job's friends shows us that even when we are theologically correct, we can fail to comfort or instruct properly because our knowledge is incomplete, or our use of the Scripture is misapplied. Neither is pleasing to our LORD who has taught us to study His Word, not for knowledge sake, which puffs up, but that we might lovingly edify and encourage those around us even in correction, as we all grow up in Christ.
Those who have never received Christ by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary by faith and repentance cannot receive the things of the Spirit of GOD which are spiritually discerned. GOD has called us, as ambassadors of Christ, to take the Word of reconciliation and righteousness and with the providence of GOD minister to those around us who are hurting and in need. Our Lord has commanded us to love one another as He first loved us and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD that we may all be conformed to the image of His dear Son. We are commissioned to His service and as His witnesses to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world that they might be saved, and as we go in the power of the Holy Spirit proclaim the Good News of forgiveness of sin through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son that they 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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