Job 29 - Real Christian Love

Real Christian Love

Today Job is recounting what his life had been like before the trial began. As we read this chapter it makes us wonder how his friends could have come at him so harshly. We will see what this man of God had done in his ‘pre-trial’ days and how he had been such a blessing to others. Why then did they accuse him of doing such evil? When had they ever seen him do any of the things they were accusing him of? Let’s look at this and see where the Lord will take us…

Heavenly Father,

We enter into Your presence Lord where there is always fullness of joy. Thank You for the blessing of seeing Your smile on our hearts when we come to You and enjoy Your sweet presence. Open our eyes, ears and hearts to perceive and receive all that You have for us in this today. Use my mind and my hands to bring forth Your word, unhindered and unchecked by any outside force or my flesh Father. Give glory to Yourself in everything through this study today as You give me utterance through Holy Spirit. Thank You in advance for Your perfect purpose in it - in Jesus name. Amen.

Job was thinking about the days gone by – the ‘good ole’ days before all this terror had come upon him. He tells his friends about how sweet it was to walk in God’s light that carried him through every dark moment. Job remembers the times when the secret things of God were made known to him. He fondly recounts the moments when he knew that God was with him and his children were round about him. His steps were smooth as butter on his feet then and he prospered in all he did like having a rock that poured out an endless stream of oil. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?

In the city, very important and prominent people stood up and took notice when Job showed up on the scene. They had shut their mouths and opened their ears when he came upon them. It would look like what people do when the President of the United States walks into a room. Everyone gets silent and pays close attention to what he is saying. And so it had been with Job. People looked up to him and respected him. And why? Because he had been a man of honor and integrity – a man of love. He helped the poor, the fatherless, the defenseless, the blind, and the lame – anyone who had need. Even those who were perishing pronounced blessings upon this kind man of God. What a life!

Job had broken the “jaws of the wicked” by defending those the evil tried to prey on. What a guy! Glory to God. Job lived right and made right judgments on the matters at hand. He thought he would have long life and he had been well sustained - like a tree planted by a stream of living water.

Jeremiah 17:8

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.

He had been constantly renewed and refreshed and that refreshment then fell upon others. Everyone listened to what he had to say. Some of you may remember that old TV commercial that talked about a brokerage firm saying, “When EF Hutton speaks, everybody listens.” That’s how it had been for Job before this great trial all began. What a fine reputation he had had. Glory to God! Imagine it – people wanting to hear what he had to say, drinking in his words like a refreshing spring rain. His smile blessed people. He was a leader and one who comforted people. Who does this sound like to you? I think of Jesus – how about you?

Acts 10:38

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

We can’t be sure about why his friends had accused him of so much evil. Surely they had known the pre-trial Job. They must have been among the ranks who had loved, respected and trusted him. A man like this in a town back then would have been well known by everyone. He had been used to bring relief to many. It makes us think about what our lives can be like as we walk with Jesus, doesn’t it? Before I surrendered to the Lord, I was living a pretty selfish life really. It didn’t look anything like I really wanted it to. I wanted to help people and I wanted to make a difference in this world for good, but little did I know how messed up I was and how incapable I was of helping anyone at that point. I was the one who needed help! We can’t put the oxygen mask on another until we get it on ourselves – amen?!

Before my trial I had been probably the exact opposite of Job. Sure, I had friends and neighbors who seemed to care for me and respect me. I was working hard trying to show the world that I really was there and was somebody that wanted to do something meaningful. In the depth of my heart I had a desire to be just like Job describes himself in this chapter. I wanted people to be helped and would have enjoyed the respect of my peers and others. But all my priorities were still in a mixed up basket looking like a disheveled pile of (dirty) laundry.

I remember the faces that smiled at me when I was in my crisis. I remember one lady who I will always treasure in my heart. Though we have lost contact, I look forward to seeing her again in heaven if it doesn’t happen again in this life. 

Her name was Shelly and she had been so kind to me. I met her at a church when I was homeless. She had come alongside of me and brought me bags of groceries and enough money to stay in a motel for three weeks! This enabled me to stay clear of the homeless shelter. One night there was more than enough for me. She had baked homemade zucchini bread and lovingly wrapped it in foil to keep it warm and moist as she delivered her bags of love to me and the husband I was with.

Shelly was a hairdresser. She had her own salon right there in her house. Her husband worked in construction – he may have been a contractor. They had a very large and beautiful home in northern Michigan. They had two precious kids and a whole lotta’ love from God that they were eager to pour out on us. She had invited me to her home. I wasn’t looking too good those days. My hair needed to be colored and cut and I was wearing blue jeans and T-Shirts all the time – something I don’t typically care to do. Shelly washed my hair, colored it and styled it. She got me all cleaned up again and provided loving Christian fellowship the entire time we were together.

She held a women’s Bible study in her home and invited me to attend. I graciously accepted her warm offer. It was a blessing to be around Christian women and in a nice home again. It felt a lot like heaven. She had a computer and allowed me to use it to communicate with my older daughter. That tool was used by God to bring my daughter and me back together in the months to come. Oh the grace of God that came through that wonderful woman of God. She fed me, comforted me, and her smile lifted my heart.

It was as if Jesus Himself were right there loving me through the worst time in my entire life. And really, He was. Jesus, by His Spirit, works through people. Even though Job didn’t know Jesus yet, he knew God and had faith in Him. Job had a relationship with God and the Lord used him mightily to bless all who came in contact with him. The Lord had entrusted him with much prosperity, and He expected Job to use it wisely. And he had.

Job used his wealth the way all Christians should use their wealth. Yes, the Lord wants us to have nice homes and drive nice cars and have the best equipment to do the work He calls us to do. He wants us to have nice clothes and jewelry and eat good, healthy food. After that, there should be plenty of abundance to be ready at a moment’s notice to give to those in need. For the Christian man or woman, like Shelly, once their needs have been met, their abundance can be used to bless God’s people and whomever the Lord brings along our path. Look at what Jesus said here… 

Matthew 10:42

And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

Friends, Jesus was not talking about little baby people here. He was talking about us – His little ones. In God’s eyes we are His children. Some of us more immature than others, yes - but we are still His little children. When we help others in the body, like Shelly did for me, we are actually doing it unto Jesus. And we will be rewarded for those things. Isn’t that great news? Look at what the early church did for each other…

Acts 2:44-45

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

This verse was certainly in full swing at Shelly’s house. And look at this…

Hebrews 13:2

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

Only God knows, but maybe Shelly was an angel. And even if she wasn’t she was used by the finger of God Himself to comfort me and bless me – just like Job had done for so many in his pre-trial days. A person who walks with God can be used mightily to be a blessing to many, many people. I remember after my surrender to the Lord in 2005, that everything changed. Where before I had thought about how nice it would be to help people, now I was starting to learn how to actually step out and do it.

By the time 2010 rolled around I began a series of mission trips. The first one was two weeks in Peru, South America. It was an amazing experience causing me to deeply desire to go back someday to preach the gospel in Spanish. The harvest field is very white with harvest and there is much good work to do there for the saving of souls – hallelujah! While on that trip we held Bible school for the children. We walked around the town handing out tracts and we held skateboard competitions for the kids. They had a ball! We handed out food, clothing and water to many needy people along with Spanish Bibles. They treasured every moment we spent with them.

We encountered many sad faces. You could tell they were in a living ‘hell on earth’ and had suffered much in their lives. But all it took was one smile, and their hearts lifted! You could see it immediately. It brings tears to one’s eyes to look at them. They have been so oppressed by the leaders of their country as if they were the enemy of the people rather than their leaders and examples of right living. But as we walked through those tiny towns and visited churches and hugged people, we could tell that they were like little sponges just soaking up God’s love through us. 

They really and valued us and what we had to offer. When we spoke, they listened. What we gave them they appreciated. They showed great honor and respect toward us. And why? Because they knew that we really loved them by what they saw us doing. I remember one little girl (in Mexico) who sat on my lap – probably about 6 years old. She was eating her first slice of pizza – ever in her life. She turned back toward me and said, “Gracias Americano!” It made me cry! It wasn’t that we were looking for their honor and respect, but it just came naturally because of the love of God in our hearts that was poured out on them. Everywhere we went, people stood up and took notice of us. We were carriers of God’s love. I could write and entire book about these experiences! It was a rich time.

Yes, as ‘Americanos’ we stood out like sore thumbs in the crowd, but they never felt threatened. They saw something tangible and worth looking at and listening to. Unlike America where people take a tract and throw it in the trash, these folks would eagerly open them up and stand there and read them. The people were hungry for a love that would never fail them. We could be Christ’s ambassadors to them while we were there. 

Galatians 6:20

for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Paul knew he was an ambassador for Christ. His prayer was that he would say what he was supposed to say as the Lord would direct him. We too can be ambassadors for Jesus. No matter what we were like in our ‘before Christ’ lives, we are called to a new covenant – a new way of sharing the love of God that we ourselves have received. When we get born again, everything about how we live and communicate with the world around us should change. How we approach others and the warmth of our countenance; all things should reflect the love of God.

There are so many who are hurting and at the end of their ropes. I know; I am one who has been there. I bet many of you reading this today can relate all too well to my statement. Each of us has a story to tell about what God has done for us. If you don’t then you may want to go to Jesus and make sure you are saved! And Gods wants to use our stories to share with others who have experienced the same things so they too can see that there is hope for them. Thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus Christ that when He changed our lives, He made a new agreement with us, giving us a new hope. And that hope should shine brightly on our faces.

What must it look like to the world around us if when we go to the grocery store for example we have a solemn look on our face? What if we are so caught up in what we are doing that we don’t even make eye contact with those we encounter or smile at them and say hello – regardless of their response? How will they know we are Christians?

  

Jesus showed us how people (the outside unsaved world) will know we are Christians…

John 13:34-35

 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Saints, the truth is that when the unsaved folks look at believers, they should see us loving on one another so much and helping each other as each one has need - being kind and tender hearted with them that they too will want to join the family of God. But when they see us bickering amongst ourselves and saying unkind or private things about each other behind our backs, why on earth would anyone want to join a family like that?

When they see us taking each other to court and living completely contrary to the word of God, where is the appeal to jump on board? The unsaved folks have plenty of dysfunction going on in their own homes. Why would they want to join another group and encounter more of the same? That would be even more insanity and they are already screaming out in their hearts for something that is different than what they are currently experiencing.

Church, it is time for all of us to wake up and see the schemes of the enemy to steal, kill and destroy our witness to the unsaved world! If the devil can wreak havoc among Christians and different churches then surely he can draw the attention of the unbelievers to the chaos and plant thoughts in their minds like these, “Look at them! They treat each other terribly. Why would you want to be a part of that?” Sadly this is the example that is happening across the globe today. Too many Christians are asking for Jesus to be their Savior, but not their Lord. As a result they are living for themselves instead of reaching out to love others in the body like Jesus did. He was our example. The following example is even given to husbands and we can all learn from it…

Ephesians 5:25-29

 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

Imagine if we loved each other in the body like this! People would be beating the doors of our churches down to get in on the ‘love action’. And look at this verse earlier in the same chapter…

Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

How different would our world be today if we had more people like Job and Shelly? What if we decided to really walk the walk and not just talk the talk? What if we really trusted God to take care of all our needs like He said He would while we took care of His church? What then? God gives us the answer to that very question…

Isaiah 58:10

If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible because it clearly tells us what our priorities should be. And when God blesses us saints, we should be blessing others. It is a constant supply and demand type of arrangement. I think of a PVC pipe used for plumbing. It is an “L” shaped pipe that takes a flow of water in and then the water flows right out the other end. God supplies and the world demands our supplies, our love, and our hearts. But we could never give what we haven’t first received, so we must focus on the Lord.

He wants to give us a lot so we can be a big blessing to the worlds around us – just like Job and Shelly. He calls us to be His hands and feet and mouthpiece in a lost and hurting world. Job showed us what his life had been like before his trial began. It was the picture of real Christian love. We don’t have to react to what other people around us are doing or are not doing. Never mind them – what are you and I doing? How are we making a difference and showing true Christian love?

Questions:

What was Job reflecting upon today in our chapter?

How had people viewed him before his trial began?

How had people responded to him when he went about town?

What kind of people did he help?

In what ways have you been showing the world true Christian love lately? How can you improve on that using the resources God has given you?  

Luke 12:48b

For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

                                 

  There are three main points to consider from today’s study… 

Christians should love each other like Christ loves the church

When people see our love it will make them want to join us

God gives us much so we can give bountifully to others

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the ‘Shelly’ in my life! Lord, You said that we are to love one another in Your body. By this others can see Your love and want to get on board. Help me to remember that everywhere I go I need to wear a smile, carry a hug and be ready to share with those in need. Show me ways I can defend the defenseless and feed the hungry. Open my eyes to circumstances all around me where I can bless others. Thank You in advance for those opportunities in Jesus name! Amen

In what ways have you been showing real Christian love lately

And God Said… You fill in the blanks.

Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said:

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.”