One of my junior high teachers used a familiar saying to address students who were about the cross an invisible line. Interrupting just before individuals earned a detention, promptly exclaiming, “that’s far enough.” Unfortunately, obedience and respect appear to be at an all time low. Instead, excuses, justification and victimization now reign.
Then Eli’hu the son of Bar’achel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became angry. He was angry at Job because he justified himself rather than God; Job 32:2.
While listening to a heated discussion, a young man felt compelled to share his own two cents. Apparently, Job was lacking humility. Instead of accepting the hardship dealt by God, Job began to justify his own actions. Maybe Job did not do anything to receive the ordeals sent his way, but Elihu felt that Job is disrespecting God.
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God, 2 Corinthians 5:21.
One of the greatest examples of justification occurs while watching replays of penalties in sports. Most of the time athletes complain to officials, “I never touched them.” Yet, replays often reveal guilt. In real life, no one is without fault. All have sinned. Thus, if justification continues, countless individuals will deny and reject the only One who will come to their rescue, Jesus Christ the Lord.
by Jay Mankus
