Zophar the Naamathite, Job’s friend turned accuser, questioned Job’s morality. Assuming that Job’s hardship was due to sin, he charged:

“If you would direct your heart right, and spread out your hand to Him; If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness dwell in your tents. Then, indeed, you could lift up your face without moral defect, and you would be steadfast and not fear.” (Job 11:13-15)

At this point in the dialogue between Job and his friends, we know that his plight was not due to a moral defect.

We live in a day when there is no absolute truth. Morality is whatever achieves one’s purpose. Politically, on the left is social justice. On the right, private equity. The extremes of both are moral nihilism. The chasm between them is moral confusion. Where do we go from here? History has seen this before. The outcome has always been the same. Destruction. Consider the fall of the Roman Republic.

God has not left us without a compass. The Bible, correctly exegeted and applied, is the standard-bearer of truth, especially moral truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6). He was declaring Himself to be the perfect example of morality. The disciples had lived with Him, walked with Him, listened to Him. The “words”(rhema) that He spoke were from the Father. (Jn 14:10)

Peter wrote:

“. . seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. . . in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence (arete), and in your moral excellence (arete), knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:2-9)

Moral excellence is not achieved by accident. It takes studying God’s Word and applying His Word to every decision and not becoming “entangled” with this world (2 Ti 2:4). Not becoming “unequally yoked” (2 Cor 6:14 KJV). I have been asked to join businesses several times with the prospect of making a profit, but I refused. One was with a fellow believer. He asked why I refused. My response was that I would be unequally yoked with him. I disagreed with his business practices. His business ended in bankruptcy.

Jesus said:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, . . .But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, . . . for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matt 6:19-22)