Do you consider yourself a good person? It may sound like a simple question, but it reveals our understanding of ourselves, human nature, and even God.

In Job 31, Job strongly defends himself. He boldly claims that he has always tried to do good. In this chapter, he uses "I" more than 60 times to plead that he has avoided more than a dozen types of wrongdoing and has strived to live an honest and moral life.

Job was generous, treated others fairly, did not retaliate, and chose the path of justice and love. He said that if God listed the good he had done, it would be like a crown on his head. He could stand before God like a prince. This shows his confidence in how he lived and his desire to be right before God.

Job may have been the most upright man of his time, but he certainly wasn't perfect. Romans 3:10-12 says, "There is no one righteous, not even one.” This reminds us that no one is completely sinless, not even Job.

In fact, Job did not say that he never sinned but emphasized that he lived a life pleasing to God. However, people often have blind spots, remembering their good deeds but forgetting their transgressions, and It’s easy to become complacent and proud of the good things we have done.

Sometimes we even perceive good deeds as a way to earn blessings, forgetting that they should be the norm and nothing to boast about. Isn't it out of God's mercy that we have what we have?

Job longed to stand before God in his own defence, but we do not need to do that today, because Jesus Christ has already stood before God for us. He bore our sins and became the mediator between us and God so that we could be accepted and justified.

So whether you think you're “not bad” or “too bad,” remember this: God loves you, not because of what you have done, but because He is love.

Reflection

• When you say, "I am a good person," what are you trying to tell others or yourself? What makes you feel assure?

• Do you ever feel unsure of God's love because you think you’re not good enough?

• Today, can you trust that Jesus has done everything for you and find peace in that?

Prayer : Dear God, thank you for loving us not because we are good, but because you are love. Help us to trust in Jesus, who has done everything for us. When we feel unworthy, remind us of your grace. May we find peace in him today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.