Bible Studies for Life: January 18

Compelled to Act • Job 31:13-23 

By Sydney Charlton

By God’s grace, I have served in ministry for nearly twenty years, and in that time, I have encountered many people. Many who have a similar background to mine, and many others who have faced hardships I am unfamiliar with. I have experienced different cultures and witnessed God’s love unite hearts across seemingly impossible dividing lines. 

As parents, my husband and I aim to instill within our daughters this truth: Every person matters because they were created by God, in His image. Despite the divisions created by worldly standards, as Christ-followers, we view things from a different perspective. As we have opportunities to serve various groups with differing needs, differing hardships, and even differing appearances from our own, we have continued to teach our daughters the necessity of valuing people. Years ago, we realized that this lesson had become concrete when, from the backseat of our minivan, they were having this discussion at the ages of 5 and 7.

“Why can’t people just get along?”

“Yeah! Why do people care so much about what people look like, or where they live?”

“If we are all made in God’s image, and we are, then it kinda shows off God’s creativity. The world would be boring if we looked alike.”

“We all look like a little piece of God, huh?”

Sometimes, all we need is the perspective of children to help ground us in the foundational principles of what is right and godly. Every person bears the image of the very One who created us, and therefore, every person deserves to be treated with dignity, justice, and respect.

Job knew this well, and through his writings, we learn the importance of allowing our reverence and love of God to direct our actions toward others.

Job 31:13-15 

From an early age, many of us were taught the “Golden Rule”: Treat others how you want to be treated. Job understood the intrinsic worth people have because he knew each person had been made by God, for His glory. As believers, our actions reveal what we believe, especially when it pertains to how we treat others. 

Despite any differences with other people, whether it is political or religious views or lifestyle choices, Christians should honor the Lord in how we treat everyone. People matter, from the unborn to those on their deathbed, and we should live as they do.

Job 31:16-20

We are accountable for how we help those who can’t help themselves. We are often just one hardship away from being in a situation that would cause us to need some type of assistance. So why is it so easy to overlook the man panhandling for food at the intersection or pass on the opportunity to help an unwed mother find necessities for her baby?

We shouldn’t judge the circumstances that led to them being in such situations. We ought to view each opportunity to bless others as an opportunity to share the love of God.

The most marginalized groups of our society should be cared for deeply by the Church. Inconvenience often hinders us from even asking how we can help, but it is critical for us to consider how we can have “pure and undefiled religion” that James spoke of (James 1:26-27). No one person can meet the needs of everyone, but if we all began to care for the poor, the unborn, the fatherless, the widows, etc., then we would be able to make a significant Kingdom impact. If just one selfless act for someone else’s benefit compels them to consider God’s great love for them, isn’t it all worth it?

Job 31:21-23

We are accountable for how we seek justice for those who are unjustly treated. Job was not afraid to speak up for what was right, and we shouldn’t be either. The world promotes self-service and self-glorification. Christians should promote the opposite: serve others above self, and do so to glorify God. 

When we care for others deeply, we convey to the world that we aim to honor God and to make Him known. By being intentional in how we care for others, the message of the Gospel comes alive.

Many people are waiting for a tangible way to see how the God of the universe genuinely cares for them, and we must remain willing to be used by God in this way. 

Charlton is the OneHope Missions Assistant at Crossgates Baptist Church, Brandon.