Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
(King James Version)
For approximately three years now God has been thumping my heart about Christian behavior. It seems to pop out at me in every book of the Bible. I am thankful to be a work in progress. The potter’s wheel is not a comfortable place, but it is a necessary one. I hear the still, small voice of God speaking loudly to my heart (1 Kings 19), as He is shaping me into a vessel that is fit for His use (Jeremiah 18:6).
I have always admired gentle, easy-going people because it is not my nature. The realization that I was far from measuring up started one day as was reading Galatians 5. I realized that things like wrath, strife, and envy are mentioned along with some of the more conspicuous works of the flesh that bar us from heaven.
Lately, I have decided to read the book of James more often in remembrance of who I ought to be in Christ. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead (James 2:26). That Is Powerful! To me this is saying that faith produces works (A change in us). As God is holy, so should we be in our conduct (1Peter 1:15). It’s not about what we gain, but what we leave behind (example). The photo that I created above is a representation of a heart that has been tried and purified in the Fire of God. As life has ended in a vapour, the soul returns to God, leaving behind memories that remain like precious gold glimmering in the dust.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Taking into consideration the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13), It is impossible to overlook the first and second Greatest Commandments of all; that is to Love God with All of our heart, soul, and mind, and to Love our neighbor as ourselves. On these two Commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22; 26-40).
Colossians 3:14 And above all of these things put on charity (Love), which is the bond of perfection (maturity).
It is a powerful reality that Love is the bond of perfection that holds us together. If we lose our witness to the works of the flesh, we are no longer effective as glue or salt in this world. Those works are; adultery, fornication, uncleanness (physical or moral impurity, G167), lasciviousness (filthy wantonness, G766), idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (contention, debate, strife, G2054), emulations (jealousy, malice, G2205), heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings (rioting, G2970), and such like (Galatians 5: 17-21). (James Strong, 1992)
Galatians 5:22-26 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections (emotions, G3804) and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (James Strong, 1992)
Jesus told us that we would face tribulation in this world (John 16:33). Paul said that they had no rest. They were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears (2 Corinthians 7:5). We all go through trials, and I have had my fair share. This world has taught me how to fight. Jesus is teaching me how to love. It’s easy to see how far that he has brought me when I am at peace, but it is my behavior in the storm that is going to make the difference.
One morning as I was sitting in my bed tangled up in the worries of this life, (which provokes bad behavior) I prayed. God gave me the Sweetest Peace in Ecclesiastes 12: 7, 12:13, and James 4:14 (listed above). “Life is but a vapour. The body will return to dust, and the spirit will return to God, who gave it. The only important thing is Loving the Lord and keeping his commandments. That is the whole duty of man. He will take care of the rest.” That was my inspiration for this post.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that you will help us to run with certainty, keeping our bodies under subjection, fighting a good fight. Don’t let us become ineffective cast aways swinging into the air with our poor conduct (1 Corinthians 9:26-27). Empower us to turn the other cheek and to forgive with our whole heart. Teach us to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, not becoming tangled up in the affairs of this present life (2Timothy 2:3-4), In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.
References
James Strong, S.L. (1992). Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible. World Bible Publishers, Inc.
myheartburnswithinme.com 