Contemplative Bible Reading

Job 19:4 (New Living Translation)

Even if I have sinned,
that is my concern, not yours.

This is Job talking a long time ago in a place far, far away. Suppose a Christian near me said this. Would I agree with him?

• Yes: It is none of my business how he lives.
• No: He is a brother who could fall away from Christ.
• Yes: If he is a Christian, he will be forgiven for his sin as we all are.
• No: I don’t like it when my brother sins as his sin can harm other people.
• Yes: If my brother’s sin doesn’t hurt me, what business is it of mine?
• No: It is a lot of my business as I care about the others who are hurt?

I could go on with this for a long time. Every answer that comes to mind brings an opposite answer. Let’s stop here.

I prefer that my brother not sin. I prefer that I not sin. Since both of us are human and sinful, my preferences won’t come true and I will have to learn how to live with our condition.