"Smell-less" Sin

This week we have been reading about Job, a mysterious man from ancient times. We are not sure when this book was written or who wrote it or even when. So it is good that it gives timeless truths that circumvent culture and give us insight into the character of God.

One thing we do know is that God is not an American. Can you see that? The story of Job is about a man who is a man of faith and good works, fearing the Lord and fleeing from evil. And yet, despite his morality, God sees fit to provoke the devil and allow him to torture Job horribly. Not very ‘American’ wouldn’t you agree? The American mindset seems to be “If I am good, then my life will be good.” Stated otherwise, God owes us a good life is we are nice people.

Nothing could be further from biblical truth. The God of the Bible displays men as wretched sinners who hate God, love their filth, and DESERVE His wrath and torture. Sin is an outrage. Hell is not an overreaction.

Let me be clear on one thing. If you have suffered, this is for you. But I am not saying I feel your pain or anything like that. I have never suffered. I am not saying this from some great pillar of suffering and knowing judgement, but rather in obedience to the truth and for your edification. I am Job, before his suffering, and without the blameless stuff. Blessed overwhelmingly. As many of you are.

I write this to confront low views of God and indifference to sin, in my life and yours. In a previous email from about a year ago, I inserted the following quote to help illustrate why we aren’t so disgusted by our sin.

[Robin Boisvert speaking] During the 1980s I lived in the beautiful farm country of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Life there was pleasant in all respects but one: I never got used to the smell of manure. Pigs were by far the worst. But interestingly, though I found their odor disgusting, the pigs didn’t seem to mind in the least. As J.C. Ryle has put it, “The very animals whose smell is most offensive to us have no idea they are offensive and are not offensive to one another. [in like manner] ”Fallen man, it seems, can have no adequate idea what a vile thing sin is in the sight of a holy and perfect God."

[me speaking, no more quoting] We wallow in sin and watch others wallow and we don't even mind all that much. When was the last time you were convicted that you didn't esteem God in His all-holiness enough? How about when you didn't love your brother or sister in Christ by praying for them? Or when...____? You get the point. We breath God-ignoring air in our culture. And we can't even smell the stench. Not the way the Bible talks about it and the way God does!

Let us therefore take a Biblical whiff of ourselves and then rejoice at the great salvation that we have in Jesus! But let us not forget the gap between us and Him. Though we can expect God to be merciful because of His promises, let us not grow callous to His holiness or demand His mercy. He owes us nothing, except punishment for our sin. We owe Him everything! Blessed be God and His infinite condescension and care.