Saturday, August 27, 2022

The Indwelling Presence



Bobservations' Column
Pastor Bob Lawrenz

The Apostle Paul’s description of Jesus from Chapter 1 of Colossians continues on into Chapter 2. Error had crept silently into the Church at Colossae. It makes me wonder just how far the error had caused the church to stray from the pure Gospel. Why, because Paul sees the need to lay the groundwork of faith in that church again. Even a little error, is still error, and everything after the error is therefore based upon that error.

Son of the Father, Creator of all things. Truly, even the “glue” that holds all the physical realm of earth and space together: (1:17 – “...by Him all things consist.” Science wondered for ages what it was that caused atoms and atomic structures to cling together, when at the molecular level they would normally repel one another.

A glycol-protein was discovered as recently as 1979 called “laminin,” and it is heavy enough in molecular weight to create a fibrous component that acts to keep molecules together. When depicted graphically, the substance falls naturally into a geometric shape. And the shape is that of a cross.

If, as Paul’s word tell us that Jesus, the Word of God created all things as God “spoke” them into existence, then Jesus has indeed put His signature on this substance we call laminin. (Google it and call up images of it.) This glycol-protein benefits the human body in a multitude of ways, too numerous to list here.

Is it too strong to say that science is finally catching up to Biblical truth, and proving it? Science will say “Yes! That’s going too far!” But what does the Spirit say unto every believer who is willing to believe Paul’s words?

Your Google search will even list the many ways that laminin even expands our understanding of the earth, our physical selves, and by extrapolation, the universe itself. With full faith is Christ, I’m quite comfortable saying that Jesus is the glue that holds all things together, for by Him, all things consist. But what do I know? I’m no scientist. I’m a believer, and if scientific discoveries support Biblical truth, who am I to argue?!

Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God...”

If you can believe these first four words of the Bible, you can trust the rest of it also.

Today's Audio Message:
Colossians 2:1-8 - "The Indwelling Presence"

Summary/Notes:

Last week in chapter 1, Paul taught us the greatest affirmation of the deity, humanity and sovereignty of Christ.  Jesus, in whom we have redemption through his blood, and the forgiveness of sins is the image of God, the Creator of all things.  He is eternal, the Head of the body, the Church.  That all of the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him.  Keep that in mind as we get into chapter 2.

Today, as we look at Colossians chapter 2, Paul, in his love for the church, is in great conflict as he’s looking at the Colossian assembly. He is agonizing over them. He includes with them a couple of other cities in that area, Hierapolis and Laodicea, all three of them being sister cities located in the Lycus Valley. Why? Because he sees these churches being attacked by false teachers and false doctrine (legalizers, philosophizers, ascetics, mystics), all kinds of heresy from everywhere.

Paul knew that the Judaizers would follow the new Gentile believers and try to put them under the law.  That they would also be bringing with them some of the superstitions of Judaism. In essence false doctrines that would change the very definition of FAITH and TRUST in CHRIST ALONE. They did not believe Jesus to be all sufficient for everything we need. If there is anything that a believer needs to understand is that Jesus plus anything is error. Those who teach otherwise are teaching a false gospel. 

In our day there are many people who go off searching the religious cults and mystery religions for a deeper spiritual life when the key to fulfillment is in Jesus Christ. 

Paul is having an inward struggle and continues writing, " That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:2-3).

We see the Apostle Paul desiring that they grow and mature in the faith they have received, that their hearts would be comforted, or strengthened.  He does not want them to lose heart but encourage them. This word “heart” here has reference to our intellect and our will. The heart is the place of responsibility., and it is that which God is going to judge.  Jeremiah 17:9 tells us, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" 

If we are to be comforted or strengthened in our hearts, then we are going to be comforted by the Comforter, or strengthened by the Strengthener, and that is the Holy Spirit. It is important for believers to have a strong mind, and the way our mind is strengthened is by feeding on the Word of God where our minds are renewed, where we reject doubts, discern right from wrong, and keep and eternal perspective.

Why all of this concern? "I say this lest any man should beguile you with enticing words" (Colossians 2:4). Paul does not want them to become ensnared in false teaching. There were slick and sophisticated false teachers who had infiltrated the church. Their reasoning sounded convincing, but it was far from the truth. Like fast talking marketers selling goods that we do not need, these false teachers are selling heresy, and denying the all-sufficiency of Christ. 

False teachers always claim a secret knowledge to entice others to follow. Their secret knowledge could only be obtained by following their prescribed rituals and ceremonies. But scripture clearly teaches that true knowledge that leads to God is found in Christ Jesus, and in no other.  

God’s mystery is Christ! Christ is a great treasure house where you find wisdom and knowledge. Do you want an intimate knowledge of God? Look to Christ. 


In last week's study, we read Paul’s in-depth description of who Jesus is.  In verse 19 Paul writes, “For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.”  This fullness is the fullness of the Godhead (The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) bodily (Colossians 2:9). What is truly incredible is when we become a Christian, we are complete in Him. There is no other necessary.  Jesus has no rivals. Nothing can be added to Him to complete our salvation, for we are saved through Christ and Christ alone.

Read John 14:16, 18, 20.  The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are One, and they dwell in us…Christ in us. Can it be any more intimate than that?

I encourage you to go back and read Colossians 1:13-21 again. Do you want to know what God is like? Take a long hard look and examine Christ. Do you want an intimate knowledge of God? Look to Christ. If Christ dwells in us, what more could we possibly need? Nothing at all!

Paul is reminding them, and all of us that we are complete in Christ! We don't need to be captured by philosophy; "we are complete in Him" (vs.9). "For in Him (alone) dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (vs. 10).  Further, Peter tells us that "we have become partakers of the divine nature." - 2 Peter 1:4

We will never need anything outside of Jesus Christ!

The apostle Paul stressed this great secret: "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). That is the secret of Christianity. It is Christ living His life in and through you to God’s glory.

Paul said in effect, the mystery is out. It is an open secret. Go to the house tops and shout: Christ the hope of glory! In the first century the word "mystery" was a truth undiscoverable except by divine revelation. The great mystery is that the believer has a spiritual union in Christ. That which was once a secret has now been fully revealed in the good news of Jesus Christ. The content of this mystery is "Christ in you." It is not found in some cultic religious leader, or secret formulas, or philosophies. It is Christ! It is Christ indwelling in His people. He is the grounds for the expectation of glory.



Saturday, August 20, 2022

TRUTH EXALTED


Bobservations' Column
Pastor Bob Lawrenz

As we studied Paul’s Epistle to Philemon last week, we were aware of the personal nature of Paul’s message to the Church Leader in Colossae. Tychicus, a faithful brother, delivered the letter to Philemon from Paul who was imprisoned in Rome. Tychicus’ delivery also included more general letters to the churches: Colossians, Philippians, and Ephesians as well. These four are known as “The Prison Letters.” Though far less personal than the Philemon letter, Colossians, and all of Paul’s other Church Epistles are indicative of Paul’s encouragement to the churches as he teaches and corrects some doctrinal errors he learned of as he traveled, and from his visitors in Rome, and from Epaphras, another faithful brother who was imprisoned with him.

Having been born in Tarsus in Asia, Paul had some familiarity with the beliefs of pagan neighbors. As Paul moved closer to Jerusalem, the geographical center of Judaism, he was able to identify pagan doctrines local to Asian gods that were absent from Jerusalem’s “purer Judaic doctrines.” And upon his conversion to Christ, he could see error that had crept into the churches too.

This is true as Christianity spread around the world; the worship of local deities will always tend to creep into churches that spring up wherever Christianity is introduced. If you ever wondered why there are so many Christian denominations, this is at least part of the reason, for local religious beliefs have deep roots. The old saying, “you can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy,” is appropriate to today’s Church also. False doctrines are one of Satan’s favorite ways to corrupt truth, and it happens almost seamlessly because the people are already familiar with the error, and they’re comfortable with it.

In the case of the Colossian church, Paul will be addressing a false mysticism that had crept into the church, and the error of Alexandrian Asceticism as well. But for this first chapter of Colossians, Paul affirms the foundations of faith that he and they hold in common: a bridge upon which he can teach them truth. The chapter is in three parts: Paul introduces himself to the church, he solidifies his Christian kinship with them, and finally, an exaltation of Christ as Creator, Redeemer, and Indweller of every true Believer.

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” ~ John 1:14

Today's Audio Message:
Colossians 1:1-29 - "Truth Exalted"

Summary/Notes:

As we begin a new study from Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians, we pray the Holy Spirit open our understanding, and teach us the revealed truth of Who Jesus is, and what He has done for us.

There is so much here in this first chapter. The passage is so full that we cannot deal with all the points raised, but we would not be wrong in saying that the great theme throughout is CHRIST.  Pastor Bob encourages those who are listening to this audio message, to take time in your own personal study to dig deeper.

Pastor Bob entitled this message, “Truth Exalted.”  That truth being that Jesus Christ is God.  
The Colossian church experienced numerous attacks from false teachers, and that continues today.  The way to combat the heresy is by proclaiming Jesus Christ and what He accomplished through His death and resurrection. 

In Colossians 1:15–20, Paul wrote one of the most profound summaries of who Christ is and what He accomplished. In doing so, he crushed the arguments of the false teachers, and gave the Colossian Christians, and us, even more reason to worship and exalt Jesus Christ as God.

In chapter 1, Paul is under house arrest in Rome. He understands that there is a certain false system of doctrine being propagated at Colossae, and he understands that because Epaphras has visited him. Epaphras, undoubtedly is one of the pastors of the Colossian church and perhaps its founder, has come to visit the apostle, Paul.

The church in Colossae was under attack by false teachers who had come in and were propagating heresy amongst the believers. One such heresy relates to the deity of Jesus Christ, they were denigrating His deity, saying that Christ is not actually God; that He is not sufficient for salvation; that in addition to Christ, they must include the worship of other spirits. That there was knowledge beyond Him. That Jesus was a great spiritual master, but not the Savior of the world. Christianity to them (and to many today) was narrow minded thinking, and that one must include the mixed bag of paganism, false religions and human philosophies in order to ascend to higher spirituality. Haven’t we all seen the same lies creeping into the church today with New Age teachers and Eastern Mysticism, amongst other many other false claims. These particular heresies later developed into what we know as Gnosticism, the attack was at the deity of Christ and His total sufficiency as Savior.

Paul addresses these issues head-on, so that no believer should ever be ignorant of who Jesus is, and what He has done for us. The truth is that the Christian faith stands alone, it cannot be mixed with any other ideology, philosophy, religion or practice. Jesus + anything else = deception. It is Christ and Christ alone, there is no other.

The first half of the Book of Colossians is one of the most profound studies of the Person and work of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. A Biblical understanding of Jesus Christ is crucial to our salvation. Cults and world religions may claim to believe in Jesus Christ, but the problem is that they do not believe the Jesus of the Bible, but rather a false representation of Jesus. Paul sets the record straight!

The second half of the book addresses every aspect of the Christian life, our conduct, our friends and even our speech.

As we begin chapter 1, Paul begins with his customary salutation followed by an expression of thanksgiving and prayer. He prays that they be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, strengthened by God’s glorious power, and to be thankful to be partakers of the saint’s inheritance, being delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son, where there is redemption and forgiveness of sins.

Paul then broaches the theme of this epistle, which is the preeminence and all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ our Savior.

Lastly the chapter ends with Paul’s description of his ministry, and his goal to diligently preach Christ to every man, and to present every man perfect in Christ.

Of all the statements in the Bible, in the Word of God about God becoming man, none is more significant than the one in Colossians 1:15, for here we have the identification of the Son as God very, very clearly.

Jesus, “The Son” in Colossians 1:13, is the “who” in verse 15. Who is:
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. For by Him were all things created, that are in that heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him. And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist (or hold together). And He is the head of the Body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things, He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.”  - Colossians 1:15-19
If we are to understand anything at all about the Christian faith, we must understand this vital statement. The Christian faith centers around who our Lord Jesus Christ really is, the work that He alone accomplished for us, and the future He holds for us.

Paul presents for us an ageless, and timeless eternal Savior - that’s who Jesus Christ is. He alone is the solution to the dilemma of mankind throughout the ages. Science has nothing on the architect and Creator of life. He alone is the sustainer of the universe.

In this chapter we will see Jesus in relation to God, in relation to the universe, in relation to the unseen world, and in relation to the church, and Christ as pre-eminent. We will see the uniqueness of His being and the descriptive names given to Christ.  He is the image; the First-born; the Creator; and the Head of the Church. We can also clearly see the result of His finish work: Redemption and Reconciliation.

Paul makes clear that Jesus is God. He is God in the flesh. God who is invisible became visible in Christ. In Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead. Christ is eternal. He created everything (verse 16). Jesus Christ is the only perfect representation of God. No other! Nothing other! No other religion, deity, philosophy or human invention will ever represent God truthfully, because Jesus is the only perfect representation. He alone is the image of God. He is God revealed in the world. 

If you want to know what God is like - look at Christ.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  - John 14:6







Saturday, August 13, 2022

Two Lives To Change



Bobservations' Column
Pastor Bob Lawrenz

In last week’s final chapter of Ecclesiastes, we read Solomon’s closing words summarizing twelve chapters of what he had learned during his life and his reign over Israel: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14)

Every good work, every evil work, every secret thing we have done or attitude of the heart shall be laid next to God’s Word, and judged righteous, or judged as being worthy of God’s judgment. It is therefore no wonder that the Apostle Paul was prompted by the Holy Spirit to write verse 23 of Romans 3.

“For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.”

When our lives are measured against God’s Word, no one will measure up to God’s perfection found in His Word, or in The Living Word, Jesus Christ.

As we open the Epistle of Philemon, we find our own shortcomings. The attitudes and behaviors of two men are scrutinized, and Paul admonishes and corrects both of them. One a rich landowner Philemon, who was converted by the Gospel. The other is a slave, Onesimus, owned by the first man and was also converted by the Gospel.

This Epistle is perhaps the most personal of all the Epistles, for it is written by Paul to a single brother-in-Christ. As we go through this letter, you will have a sense that you are looking over the shoulder of Philemon as he is reading it. The inspiration of the Holy Spirit is evident by its simplicity and its truth to both men of which is speaks.

Onesimus the slave had run away from his master, run from Colossae of Phrygia in western Asia Minor, all the way to Rome. Paul seeks to restore the relationship between these two Christians in an atmosphere of Brotherhood within the Church.

Paul already is aware of how Christian faith taken to heart can change a person, and every relationship they are involved in, even between a master and a slave. Anything withheld from that change, is like everything else in the world, just vanity.

Matthew 7:12 – 
“Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men do unto you, do ye unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

Today's Audio Message:
Philemon 1:1-25 - "Two Lives to Change"

Summary/Notes:

The “book” of Philemon is the shortest in the Bible where the apostle Paul offers us a lesson in diplomacy and peacemaking, but that is not the only lesson.

It is basically a one-page letter, written by the Apostle Paul to Philemon, a wealthy merchant and host of the house church in the city of Colossae (modern western Turkey).

The reason for Paul’s letter is a plea for forgiveness on behalf of Philemon’s slave, Onesimus.

Onesimus was a rebellious slave who left Colossae to take refuge in Rome. Although the reason is not made specific, the text implies that Onesimus had stolen a substantial amount of money, and probably used some of it to buy passage to Rome. Onesimus met up with Paul who eventually led him to Jesus, and through this process, Onesimus received a new identity as a brother of Christ. Paul no longer defined him as a fugitive but as one of his spiritual children.

For Philemon, not only was he Onesimus’ master, but he was also a close friend of Paul’s and apparently a model Christian who was holding church gatherings at his home. The crime of Onesimus was heavy. He not only ran away, but he stole money from Philemon. Both the Roman law as well as the Old Testament law gave Philemon the green light to punish Onesimus. But Paul has another idea.

With his diplomatic approach, Paul draws Philemon into accountability with Jesus. Yes, Onesimus had wronged him. Yes, it was a punishable offense. Yes, he had stolen money and left Philemon without a worker in his household. But Philemon was once living in rebellion to Jesus before Paul led him to Christ. So, in a very gentle way, Paul is reminding Philemon that whatever he chooses to do with Onesimus should be in line with what Jesus has done for him.

On top of this, the book of Philemon really highlights the issue of identity. Onesimus should no longer be viewed as a slave. The greater relationship he has to both Paul and Philemon is as a brother in Christ. Philemon’s role as “master” and Onesimus’ role as “slave” were secondary to the identities they shared as children of God.

Paul uses a play on words to emphasize Onesimus’ new status. Onesimus means “useful” in Greek, but of course he became worse than useless when he stole his master’s money and fled to Rome.

Paul writes, “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.”

Note: 
There is an additional play on words in the original Greek. The specific Greek word for useless is “achrestos”, which is very close to Christos (Christ).

In other words, previously Onesimus was “without Christ,” but now he is “euchrestos”, i.e. “full of Christ”. This type of word play is common in rabbinic writing, of which Paul was a master.

Unlike the other Pauline epistles, which are letters written to a general audience of believers in a specific church, Philemon is personal, written to one individual. One wonders why it became part of the canon of scripture, given its uniqueness.

There are several important themes at play in this letter. The most obvious is the theme of forgiveness.

Philemon was wronged by Onesimus and was probably quite angry with him for his dishonesty and theft. Forgiveness, however, is essential for the restoration of a right relationship between two people. Failing to forgive, hanging on to resentment, has no place in the Christian life. If there is injustice, we should deal with it through prayer and godly action. If there is insult, we should concentrate on who we are in Christ, rather than our feelings. In the course of our work for God, we should expect to face injustices for righteousness sake. God will use every difficult trial for our sanctification as He refines us, and as a testimony to the unbeliever of Christ living in us.

A secondary theme is the role of the spiritual master in relation to a disciple.

Paul reminds Philemon of his authority as a master (“you owe me your very self”), but instead he appeals to him to behave in a Christ-like way, voluntarily doing the right thing.

The most important underlying theme of Philemon, however, is the brotherhood of all believers.

Paul writes, “I am sending him…no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother.” I think it’s pretty clear that he entreated Philemon to treat Onesimus as a brother in the Lord, not a piece of property.

In his separate letter to the believers at Colossae, Paul writes, 

“And have put on the new man...Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another...even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye... And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” - See Colossians 3:10-17.

Christianity is a faith which erases ethnicity, social distinctions, employment status, and all other titles and positions. We are all equal in Christ and must treat one another as brothers and sisters.

Finally, the book of Philemon is important because it is a reminder that before our own conversion, we were all like Onesimus — useless to our Lord and Master and slaves to sin. In this sense, Onesimus is a metaphor for us all.

But Christ forgave us everything, and welcomed us as brothers and sisters in the Lord. In Him we are “useful,” to share our faith and work tirelessly for the kingdom of God.

And that, my friends, is why this little “book” is such an important part of our Bible.










Saturday, August 6, 2022

DISTRACTIONS OF LIVING



Bobservations Column
Pastor Bob Lawrenz

In this last chapter of Ecclesiastes, “The Preacher” sums up the eleven chapters prior to this one. So, it becomes apparent that God had a plan, and perhaps an outline for this book. As this chapter summarizes what Solomon has learned over the course of His reign, God’s intent seems to have been to address life’s distractions and expose the vanity of each of them.

Verse 9: “And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.” This verse lets us know that Solomon lived all the things he had written of and managed to teach the people of life’s pitfalls and distraction that draw them away, and into themselves. This verse also tells us that his life experiences have been the basis for the Book of Proverbs which Solomon wrote subsequent to Ecclesiastes.

In all of this, God used Solomon’s life to teach His people, the Holy Spirit bringing to mind all of his life’s disappointments, and purposeless endeavors. In 2 Timothy 3:16, the Apostle Paul writes “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” which affirms the Apostle John’s 14:26, that one role of the Holy Spirit is "to bring all things to our remembrance, whatsoever I (Jesus, the Word of God) has said unto you.” This affirms all of Solomon’s three books which have been included in the Cannon of Sacred Scripture. God’s
“stamp of approval” is all over this book, and Proverbs, and Song of Solomon.

Solomon grew up in the household of his father, King David, of whom it is written, "was a man after God’s heart" (1 Kings 11:4).  It becomes evident that in all of his life-distractions, and dead ends, Solomon always kept God to fall back on; literally, God had his back, even though Solomon’s heart was not perfect before God, as his father David’s was.

How easily we can all get our eyes off God and be turned to empty vanities. Solomon’s narrative teaches us all that nothing satisfies, nothing fulfills, and no vain thing can complete us. Only the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit can do that. Solomon learned it the hard way. The Prodigal son learned it the hard way. Listening to empty promises, can lead us off as Eve was led away, then Adam, then Cain…we are all susceptible.
“Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

Today's Audio Message:
Ecclesiastes 12:1-14 - "Distractions of Living"

Summary/Notes:

As we come to the end of the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon, now an old man, has come to the conclusion that all of his pursuits seeking happiness in worldly things are vanity. Solomon, though very wise, explored every form of worldly pleasure, and none of it gave him a sense of meaningful purpose. In fact, his attitude toward the world and life drastically changed. Disillusioned with the world system and its humanistic values, Solomon remembers the God of his youth, the Lord God our Creator who created each of us with a purpose. In the end, his faith is renewed, and he writes to instruct and exhort young men, and to all readers, to acknowledge God from youth, and to follow His will.

Chapter 12 is really a masterpiece of literature. His dissertation on old age and dying is unique and poetically picturesque as he warns us that old age and death comes to everyone. Solomon is not writing primarily to those who are experiencing these difficulties, but to those who are still “in the days of thy youth.” Younger people who know nothing from personal experience of the realities he is describing, are urged to live and think in the light of the fact that dark days, as he describes them, are coming.

With that in mind, what better time to remember, and know, and serve your Creator than in the prime of your life? These are the years of opportunity, ability and strength. They are easy years compared to the difficulties that come with old age, and finally death. Ultimately, each of us will stand before God and give an account of our life, and whether or not we have received salvation through Christ. Solomon wants to impress on younger people that they need to enjoy the life that God has given them, and to serve God while there is still time.

If we are seeking meaning and fulfillment from the “things of this world,” we will find that our lives will be empty. Sadly, Solomon realized at the end of his life, that he should have centered his whole life pursuing God.  Though we may have strayed away from God, God is merciful, and He is able to lead us to repentance. He is able to accomplish in us what we ourselves cannot do, and to make us what He wants us to be.

In verses 10- 11, Solomon considers the words of the wise. Words like those of the Preacher. He says that they are like goads. It’s meant to move man to righteous living, provoking us to do what is right in God’s eyes.

These wise words are intended to be unmovable - unshakable - never changing.

This world offers a never-ending supply of worldly wisdom from philosophers, writers of self-help books, psychologists and so forth, and all of it is empty and void of meaning, purpose, and lasting joy. Books come and go, they lose their value over time, but God’s Word is eternal.

2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

There is only one Shepherd, He is the Lord, the One who breathe out Scripture and preserved since the beginning. His word never fails. It’s infallible. And that is why it remains so relevant even to this day!

Finally in verse 13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the duty of man.”

Everything hangs upon that word, "Fear God." Life isn’t just lived under the sun, life on earth isn’t all there is to it. We were created by God in His image, for His purpose and His glory. And though we all will face physical death; our souls will live on in eternity.  

We can't hide from God. He is evident in all our life. He knows everything that goes on; he knows every thought of the heart, every word of the mouth. He knows the motives that we seek to hide from others. He sees the duplicity, the deception, the lovelessness. He has made provision for it all; nothing can be hidden. Everything is going to come out in the open at last. All the illusions by which we seek to convince ourselves that things are not the way the Bible says they are, will be stripped away and we will see ourselves as he sees us; and there will not be a voice lifted to challenge the righteousness of his judgment.

We ought to be living our lives fearing (or reverencing) God. Everything we do ought to be a reflection of the love that we have for Him. So, as Solomon urges young people, and all of us, live your life with an eye on the judgment that is to come. Get ready to meet God and give an account to him.

Jesus shed His blood and died on the cross for our sins, that we might be reconciled to God. His blood is sufficient to cover all of our sins. 
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news that God loves the world enough to give His only Son to die for our sin (John 3:16). The gospel is good news because our salvation and eternal life and home in heaven are guaranteed through Christ (John 14:1–4).

I Peter 1:3-5 -
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.






 

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