A Study in Job

The third straw grasped at is that our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds. This is the basis for most religions outside of Christianity. We acknowledge our sins, but insist that if we utter enough prayers, suffer enough pain lying on a bed of nails or sitting on a hard pew, give enough to the poor, repent enough of our sins, confess to a priest enough, do enough good works, our good deeds will be enough to outweigh the bad. But the fallacy of such a view is shattered in a moment by comparing that to criminal law--“Judge, I raped and murdered that woman, but I would like you to take into account that I gave money to the Red Cross last year, and I’m involved in a service group that helps the community.” What sort of sick individual could think that a judge would consider these “good” works, in the light of such a heinous crime? The attempt to excuse himself (to justify himself) would be an indication that the criminal didn’t consider his crime of rape and murder to be very serious. A good judge would throw the book at such a slow-witted and callous individual.

Perhaps you are thinking, “But that’s an earthly courtroom. We are talking about God. He’s all-loving and kind.” Do you really think that an earthly judge has a greater sense of justice than God? When Bildad asked, “Does God subvert judgment? Or does the Almighty pervert justice?” it was rhetorical. It doesn’t need an answer. God is infinitely more just than any earthly judge. He will not subvert or pervert justice in the slightest.

You say, “But rape and murder are a little different from lying and stealing, and looking with lust.” They are different, but that doesn’t negate their seriousness in God’s eyes. In His pure eyes our sins are worthy of the death sentence and damnation.
Continued tomorrow...

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