Fear God, Obey His Commands, For This Is Everyone's Duty
Show Reverence To The Most High
ECCLESIASTES 12:12-14
“And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:12-14 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/ecc.12.12-14.nkjv
We could all study and debate continuously about life and philosophies, about how we should live. And I am not suggesting it is wrong to study these opinions, but however, because life is so short on this earth, we really must make good use of the time we have to learn the important truths revealed in God’s word.
They have an effect on all aspects of our lives, both in this life and eternity.
Those who are wise students of the bible will understand and put everything they learn from God’s word into practice; they will do what it says.
Solomon, in his conclusion, presents his antidotes for the main ailments presented in this book, the lack of purpose and direction in life.
The truth is, ““fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10 NKJV
Our God is the highest authority in all the universe, He is a God of justice and truth and misses nothing.
Every act we do and every word we speak, both good and evil shall have consequences.
To not take this seriously with fear showing all reverence to the Lord would be a very foolish way to go.
Many say, God will not send “nice” people into hell; they say His grace is enough.
But grace does not override justice, and all have sinned.
Jesus died on a cross that He could justify ones new life in Christ before applying grace, but unless His spilled blood is applied to one’s life, it shall profit him nothing.
Solomon here, said, “be admonished (warned)” of God’s judgements, and the outcome of every secret thing.
One cannot interpret the book of Ecclesiastes without reading these final verses.
The truth is, no matter what mysteries and apparent contradictions of life are, we believers must work toward the single purpose of knowing God and developing a relationship with Him.
Solomon shows us that God wants us to be successful and enjoy life, but not at the cost of our eternal future. But enjoying life doesn’t mean we can do as we like, we must remain obedient to His word and commands.
We believers must continue to search for purpose and meaning, but acknowledge the evil foolishness and injustices in life, while maintaining a positive attitude through our faith in God.
All people will stand before God to be judged for what they have done in this life. We will not be able to use the inequities of life as some kind of excuse for our failures. And the truth is, every single one of us has sinned and are in need of a Saviour. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
I John 1:8-10 NKJV
Therefore, we need to recognise that human effort is futile without God. We need to put Him first, and receive every good thing as a gift from God.
We cannot live right with God in our own strength, but Jesus said, ““If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”
John 14:15-18 NKJV
God has proven Himself to be faithful, even through our sin.
Not only has He paid our debt of sin by sending His only begotten Son to suffer even to point of death in our place, He has sent His Holy Spirit to live within His peoples to help and lead them individually in all truth.
We all have choice, to live life to satisfy the lust of the flesh, or to live to please God and produce the good fruits of the Spirit. And by the way, without faith it is impossible to please God (HEBREWS 11:6).
Your good deeds can never wash away your sinful past or bring favour from God. But all who believe on Christ shall be saved (MARK 16:16).
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Galatians 5:16-26 NKJV
Since Christ is returning to bring judgement to all, does it not make sense to know Him, and develop relationships with Him?
He is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus said, I am the only way to the Father in heaven (JOHN 14:6).
Here’s the Good News, Jesus made a way for you, and regardless of your past or future sin, or your skin colour, or your place of birth, or your sexual orientation, or any circumstance at all, Jesus made way for you, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.””
Romans 10:9-11 NKJV
Give your life to Christ to today and start the process of a changed life that will lead you and continue in perfect peace and joy for all eternity.
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
