Job is an interesting character to read about. He is more like the Christian than most other people mentioned in the Old Testament.
Job lives shortly after the flood. He is a man that is trying to do the right thing. God Himself says that Satan has moved the Lord God Almighty to persecute Job without a cause. But, in the end we see that God did have a reason and because Job passed the test he was rewarded.
While Job is in the midst of his trial, some friends come to visit him and they have a rather deep conversation. During this conversation Job asks them these questions:
Job 26:2-4-How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength? How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is? To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?
These questions are good ones to ask ourselves, because they could be the same ones that we will face at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
I Corinthians 3:13- Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
Remember, our works will be judged when we stand before Christ. Our salvation is settled. But our reward during the Millennium will be based on how we chose to live our life.
Job asks these questions to his friends.
1. Did you help those who couldn't help themselves?
2. Did you save those who had no strength?
3. How did you counsel those who came to you?
4. Have you declared the truth?
5. What spirit are you walking through life with?
These are good questions to ponder as we think back over our day. There are others out there that depend on us, and we can be a blessing or a stumbling block to them.
Did you help those who couldn't help themselves?
Philippians 2:1-4- If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
There are others out there who have needs. Sometimes God miraculously fulfills these needs, and other times He uses willing Christians to fulfill these needs.
Romans 12:10-13- Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Our lives should reflect Christ's willingness to help others.
Did you save those who had no strength?
Romans 15:1- We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
We aren't necessarily talking about saving a person's life. But we are coming in during their time of weakness and lending them our strength until they can find their own.
I Thessalonians 5:14-15- Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
Each and every one of us has times when we are strong and can help those around us, and there are also times when we are weak and need the prayers, graces, comfort, or understanding of others.
How did you counsel those who came to you?
Ephesians 4:21-25,29- If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
When someone comes to you with a problem or a concern, do you answer them according to your own fleshly knowledge and desires, or do you respond according to the Word of God? As Christians, we should always have Scripture to back up how we advise people.
Philippians 1:9-11- And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
If we are consistently reading our Bibles and praying for God's guidance, there should be no reason that we cannot answer those who come to us with a Word fitly spoken from the Scriptures.
Have you declared the truth?
I John 1:3- That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Our mission as a born again child of God is to tell others the good news of the Gospel- that Christ died to pay the price for the redemption of their souls. This is the main truth that we are called to declare.
II Timothy 4:1-2- I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
What Spirit are you walking through life with?
Galatians 5:16- This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Generally, you are either walking in the Spirit or you are walking in the flesh. That means that you are following the guidance of the Holy Ghost or you are living according to the emotions and desires of the flesh.
We are to emulate Christ's actions because we are representatives of His. We cannot react like Christ if we aren't submitting to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in each area of our lives, and the only way to know how He wants us to act is by reading the Bible.
II Timothy 1:13-14-Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
When our lives have ended and we stand before Christ to give account of how we spent them, will our service come forth as gold or will there be a pile of ashes remaining?