It’s complicated. Yup, that’s the story of Job.

A man who God Himself repeatedly declares to be “a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil” (Job 1:8, 2:3). And yet, we know that there is “none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10, Ps. 14:2-3, Ps. 53:2-3) — Job had his stuff; his foibles, his faults, and his failings. And yet again, Job was a sacrificer (Job 1:5), aware that only with the shedding of blood can there be forgiveness of sin (Heb. 9:22). So, he’s a saint whose gotta be a sinner and, like everyone else, is in need of a sacrifice.

But there’s more . . . The complication continues in that Job, fundamentally, is aligned with his non-comforting comforters that sin will bring about suffering and thus, if one’s suffering it must be because of some sin. But Job knows, like we know, that his suffering isn’t tied to any specific sin. In fact, you could say it is tied to his lack of sin — that because he is “a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil”, the God of heaven permits Satan, the ruler of this world, to trouble him (Job 1:9-12, 2:4-6). So, while these flakey friends start grilling a ravaged Job on what sin(s) he must have committed to deserve such sorrow and suffering, Job’s only reply is, “I didn’t do it! Not me!” And so, for Job, life wasn’t making much sense. Like I said, it’s complicated.

Thus, in Job 31, Job starts running through an inventory of potential sins that might merit suffering. Lustful looks at a virgin? Nope. Walk in the way of falsehood? Not me. Making moves on my neighbor’s wife? Uh, uh.

Ignored my servants’ complaints against me? Withheld from the poor when I could have helped? Allowed someone to perish because of lack of clothing? Raised my hand against an orphan? Made gold my trust? Kissed my own hand as I pridefully considered my own splendor above that of the sun or the moon? Rejoiced at the ruin of an enemy, or ignored the hunger of a sojourner? I don’t think so.

I get it, says Job, if what’s happening to me is because “I have concealed my transgressions as others do by hiding my iniquity in my heart” (Job 31:33). But, Job says in effect, I’ve searched my heart, and I’m finding nothing.

And so, he looks outside himself.

Oh, that I had one to hear me!
       (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)
       Oh, that I had the indictment written by my Adversary!
Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;
       I would bind it on me as a crown;

(Job 31:35-36 ESV)

So complicated is Job’s state that he regards the Almighty as his adversary, his prosecutor. And so, he asks, “Someone give me a hearing! Let me see the indictment!” And what would Job do with such a list of accusations?

I would give Him an account of all my steps;
       like a prince I would approach Him.

(Job 31:-37 ESV)

I would give Him an account of all my steps . . .

I read that. Paused at that. And then shuddered at that. I would give Him an account . . .

Peterson puts it this way: “I’m prepared to account for every move I’ve ever made” (MSG).

Really? Oh, the thought of standing before God and giving an account for every move I’ve ever made. Not just for the sins known, but what about the sins unknown? Heavy sigh!

To be sure, I want God to search me and reveal my sin. But not so I can give an account. But so I can repent in response to such divine, dividing-asunder kindness (Heb. 4:12, Rom. 2:4). So that I can know afresh the forgiveness and cleansing that comes only through the shed blood of the Lamb (Jn. 1:29, 1Jn. 1:9).

While I want my sin to be “found out” it’s not so that I can defend myself but so that I can, by faith, plea again the righteousness of Christ credited to my account resulting from my union with Him. Found out not that the Almighty would be my adversary, but that He would be my refuge.

While I might be finding nothing, thank God the finished work of the cross covers everything.

And that’s not all that complicated.

Because of God’s amazing grace. Only for God’s all-deserving glory.