steve wrote:I'm going to have to go along with God's testimony on this, not Job's. I do not think there is any sin implied in Job's words about the things he feared. If there was, that is, if Job was sinning in fearing the loss of his famiy (I don't mind saying that I fear the loss of my family, but I do not feel convicted of sin about it), then God must not have noticed, since he said that Satan moved Him to afflict Job "without a cause" (that is, without a cause in Job—God always has a purpose for His actions). It would be strange indeed for God twice to declare that Job was a blameless man, when, in fact, God saw a sin in JOb that was so great that it deserved such great "punishments."
This is a very good point, and for us to see it any other way would be like us listening to a loving father and a his young child explain the truth about a matter, in which the child explains it one way and the father explains it another way, and then insisting upon taking the child's perspective instead of the father's.
steve wrote:The Word of Faith people always say that Job suffered because he feared (i.e., he lacked faith). God apparently was not aware of this. If that were true, then the Book of Job would certainly be an occasion for everyone who fears anything to live in continual dread that the thing they fear will necessarily happen to them ("according to your faith be it unto you"). Thankfully, this is not the case. I have feared many things that never materialized, and most of the things that have brought affliction in my life were totally unexpected (that is, not feared in advance).
Yes, this is what they say...and it has always stumbled me, because I thought it was a sin to fear. Perhaps my conscience works overtime.
I've got to spend some time thinking and praying about your perspective because I sure have thought it was a sin to fear and dread.
...but you're certainly right that holding the Word of Faith belief implicates Job as having caused his affliction because he "lacked faith." This belief, I might add, is very painful. It is like pouring salt onto a wound. I mean the person already has to deal with the issue causing their suffering, but on top of that, they (if they buy into the WF doctrine, they have to accept the blame for their suffering too). This must be extremely hard when the suffering involves a loved-one who also suffers.
Thanks so much,
Selah*:) p.s. Of course I don't think you are promoting Christians going through life nursing our fears and dread. Of course, we want to "fear not, for the Lord our God" is with us.