Page 61 - Reading Job to Know God

to us.
God’s people have suffered through the years with half-truths. Was there
any element of truth in their philosophy – suffering is caused by sin? Sure,
there’s truth in that. In at least two aspects it is true. Number one, all
suffering is indirectly caused by sin. You see, if Adam and Eve had never
sinned, there would be no suffering on the earth. So it is foundationally
caused by sin. They were right, but only caused by sin indirectly. The
fact is, much suffering is caused by the law of sowing and reaping. It is
the great doctrine of chastening. God disciplines His children. Not
punishment, but training. Not because you have done something, but in
order to instruct and to teach. The worst lie is the unbalanced truth.
Standing on thin ice you are convinced is thick enough to hold you.

The second warning I see from this negative section is a warning against
arguing. Especially, violent argument. And, boy, they got violent! Do not
waste time trying to cause a prejudiced mind to understand something.
Chapters 3-31 are a wonderful illustration of the futility of argumentation.
NOTHING, NOTHING is gained by arguing the truth with someone.
Here is something it takes years to begin to learn. See if you can get this.
It is a little complicated to explain. God has not called you to win the
world or to convince the world. He has called you to know His Son. As
we walk in the intimacy and knowledge of the Lord, the Holy Spirit will
convince the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He has not called
you to convince the world of anything.

We are tempted to think that the more we argue and debate these things,
the closer to the truth we will get. No, that’s not what the Bible says at all.
The fact is, the longer you debate and argue, the deeper the ditch you are
digging yourself. The passion of the conflict excites the flesh and fans the
flames of self-righteousness. Worst of all, it takes our undivided gaze off
of Jesus.
I love to compare before the argument, chapter 1:21, “The Lord giveth
and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
With Job 38:2 which is after the argument. God looks in the face of Job
and says: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without
knowledge?” “Darkens counsel”. He says, “Hey, I have been arguing in
order to get counsel”. God says, “No, you are a lot darker now than you
were when you began. You were better off when you said”, “The Lord
giveth and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the
Lord.” Where did you get after all this arguing? More deeply entrenched
in the darkness.

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