Right Before God
A spirit glided past my face; the hair of my flesh stood up. It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, then I heard a voice: ‘Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?
Job 4:15-17
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Right Before God
The double question is put to Job, “Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?” The answer of course to both is no. On our own we are hopeless in achieving righteousness before God. For God hates sin and will not be in its presence (Psalm 5:4-6). And we are from conception sinful and set against God (Psalm 51:5). So what are we to do? Like Job the only thing which would seem to make since would be to rend our garments and in sackcloth and ash sit in repentance and despair. But even if we did this it would not make us right in the eyes of God. There is no spark of the divine within us to justify us. The image of God was lost at the fall, and we are doomed to an eternity apart from our loving Father. What then is the answer? John tells us in his Gospel, “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” (John 3:3) It is only in God’s gift of Word and Sacrament where we are reconciled to Him. For through the lifesaving waters of Baptism (1 Peter 3:21) and the Holy Spirit given faith given in the Word (Romans 10:17) we are reconciled in Christ to the Father (2 Corinthians 5:19). It is only in Jesus and His birth, life, death, and resurrection where we are found righteous. For it is His righteousness which we wear as Baptized children of God (Galatians 3:27).
Job 4:15-17
+
Right Before God
The double question is put to Job, “Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?” The answer of course to both is no. On our own we are hopeless in achieving righteousness before God. For God hates sin and will not be in its presence (Psalm 5:4-6). And we are from conception sinful and set against God (Psalm 51:5). So what are we to do? Like Job the only thing which would seem to make since would be to rend our garments and in sackcloth and ash sit in repentance and despair. But even if we did this it would not make us right in the eyes of God. There is no spark of the divine within us to justify us. The image of God was lost at the fall, and we are doomed to an eternity apart from our loving Father. What then is the answer? John tells us in his Gospel, “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” (John 3:3) It is only in God’s gift of Word and Sacrament where we are reconciled to Him. For through the lifesaving waters of Baptism (1 Peter 3:21) and the Holy Spirit given faith given in the Word (Romans 10:17) we are reconciled in Christ to the Father (2 Corinthians 5:19). It is only in Jesus and His birth, life, death, and resurrection where we are found righteous. For it is His righteousness which we wear as Baptized children of God (Galatians 3:27).
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