Job CLXVIII

 Assumptions are easy to make. Even when we are unaware of it, we assume certain things with such regularity as to become habitual in practice. Some assumptions are anchored in reality; others are based on presuppositions or previous experiences, but there is a danger of falling into a pattern of assuming something about someone without giving them a chance or the benefit of the doubt.

Especially nowadays, when everyone is trying to project an image of some sort and plaster it all over the interwebs to convince others of how rich, happy, famous, or popular they are, it’s good to remember that all that glitters isn’t gold, and just because someone got a photo of themselves standing next to a supercar it doesn’t mean its theirs.

The same goes for men or women who insist upon calling themselves by some title meant to elicit a specific response from those within earshot. Whether they call themselves a prophet, a bishop, an elder, a deacon, an apostle, or a healer, those who are faking it until they make it hope no one bothers to inspect their fruit and see if any exist.

 Did you hear? So and so is a prophet! Says who? Well, they said. They’ve been calling themselves one every time they’re out in public, and even put it on their business card. Have they yet to give an accurate word of prophecy? Well, no. Are they living their lives according to scripture and pointing to Jesus rather than themselves? Not yet. Then maybe we should hold off on the accolades and calling them by their preferred title just to humor them.

Every situation or circumstance is unique, just as every individual is unique. As such, just because you knew of someone in a similar predicament who turned out to be less noble than they pretended, it doesn’t mean the next time the outcome will be the same. Job’s friends were filtering his situation through the prism of presupposition without any evidence to support their conclusions. All that they had been to each other, the friendship, the camaraderie, the history they shared, and the unwavering character of their friend became of no consequence to them. He must have done something; now we just have to figure out what.     

Developing a one-track mind in which we see one thing the same way, always, without variation, or that we refuse to allow for the possibility of an underlying mystery we are unaware of or privy to, is something we should all be wary of. In Job’s case, his protracted suffering was deemed as incontrovertible evidence to his friends that he had sinned, displeased God, and done something so horrific as to consider his current lot as mercy. Without a shred of evidence to substantiate their claims, all three of Job’s friends deemed him a man deserving of far worse than he was getting.

 Assumptions are commonplace, and if we use an extra-large paint roller when a detail brush is the appropriate tool, we tend to see things that aren’t there or miss the obvious details that should stand out. It’s far easier — and takes less time — to generalize about someone or something than to gather all the facts and consider the nuanced nature of everyone’s life. If you’re poor, it’s because you’re frivolous with your money! Perhaps it’s true for some, but if you’re banking seven bucks an hour and have two kids to feed, it’s not frivolity that’s keeping you poor; it’s the lack of income. I don’t care how far you stretch it, seven bucks an hour is seven bucks an hour, and that’s before the tax man comes knocking to get his share.

The older I get, the less inclined I am to assume anything about anyone. I’m not referring to someone in blatant, obvious, habitual, and unrepentant sin, one who is disseminating false doctrine, or somebody who got caught with their hand in the cookie jar with cookie crumbs in their beard, but those who are going through trials, hardships, and testing while their faith remains steadfast, and their integrity intact. In such situations, our first instinct ought not to be to wonder what they’d done to merit such a lot, then conclude they must have done something, especially if they are close, whether friends, family, or brothers and sisters in the Lord.

The words of men, either for good or ill, neither legitimize nor delegitimize you. The words of men hold no power over you unless you allow it. Some grow so elated at the praises of men that their purpose is no longer to preach the truth, but to preach in such a manner as to elicit more praise. Conversely, some are so afraid of men’s reprisal, their harsh retorts, or angry declarations, that they will couch and massage the message of the cross, hoping it softens the blow and keeps those who would otherwise react with vitriol from doing so.    

The only opinion that matters is God’s, and how He views you, how He sees you, and whether He calls you a son or daughter. Especially nowadays, men put a lot of stock in other people’s opinions, whether of themselves, the Bible, Christianity, or Christ. Did you hear? So-and-so is going to church! So and so spoke of Jesus in a positive light! I understand the excitement some might feel at the thought that one individual’s conversion or positive view of Jesus might compel others who were disinclined to hear about Him to do so, but lest we forget, He draws men unto Himself. Anything less than that reality is short-lived and not transformative.

Intellectual acknowledgment of God, or recognition of Jesus as a real person, historically documented, and proven to have existed beyond a shadow of doubt, does not translate to being born again and becoming a new creation in Him. It is faith that transforms. Faith in the reality of Scripture that Jesus, the Son of God, died on a cross and rose again on the third day. Faith that He made a way for mankind to be reconciled to God the Father, and through faith grants the faithful eternal life with Him.

With love in Christ,

Michael Boldea, Jr.