It’s a matter of fact v24n15

It’s a matter of fact!

Part 6

V24 n15

The fact is, that we could continue on with this topic every week, and would never run out of facts concerning what it takes to walk with God; or, to rise up against God. Hopefully, during this short series, it has given you a clearer insight to the facts that God has laid out for us within His Word, that is, the Bible. That you are able to see them as factual instructions for life (the authoritative prescription), given to us directly from the throne of God; and not just as mere stories or tales only used for illustration, as many assume that they are.

Eccl 12:13, To sum it all up, in conclusion. Stand in awe of God, obey His orders: that is everything, for every man! (Moffatt translation)

Eccl 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. (KJV)

The word “duty” is not found in the original texts, so the last part of the verse should read “for this is the whole of man”. It is only by one hearing and obeying the authoritative prescription of God, that they are able to be whole, or complete in Him. (Col 2:10)

Let us look at what a few Bible commentators have to say on this verse.

After all, the sum of the great business of human life is comprised in this short sentence, on which some millions of books have been already written!

FEAR GOD, AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS

1. Know that HE IS, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

2. Reverence him; pay him adoration.

3. Love him, that you may be happy.

[Keep his commandments] They are contained in two words:

1. 1. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart;"

2. "And thy neighbour as thyself." (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

Isn’t it amazing, as Clarke states almost two hundred years ago, that already then there were millions of books written regarding “the Book”, and how man always has time for all of the other books stating man’s ideas and opinions, but few have time to go to God, and His book of authoritative prescriptions, that has the cure for whatever ails one spiritually.

[Fear God]. The foundation of life is fear of God, that is, reverence toward him, a proper acknowledgement of who he is, and what he demands of men in everyday life. (from Wycliffe Commentary)

Reverence God! Such a simple, clear and concise statement, yet so hard for man to do when operating in and by the flesh. One has to come to God in and on His terms, bowing to and acknowledging His wisdom. Using and utilizing the fulness of Christ which God has made available to each and every believer.

1Co 1:20 Where is your wise man? Where your expounder of the Law? Where your investigator of the questions of this present age? Has not God shown the world's wisdom to be utter foolishness? 21 For after the world by its wisdom--as God in His wisdom had ordained--had failed to gain the knowledge of God, God was pleased, by the apparent foolishness of the Message which we preach, to save those who accepted it. (Weymouth translation)

The summary of religion. Setting aside all matters of doubtful disputation, to be religious is to fear God and keep his commandments.

The root of religion is fear of God reigning in the heart, and a reverence of his majesty, a deference to his authority, and a dread of his wrath. Fear God, that is, worship God, give him the honour due to his name, in all the instances of true devotion, inward and outward. (from Matthew Henry's Commentary)

Paul gives us an example of this where he writes, that we need to present ourselves to God, a living sacrifice. That is, alive spiritually by being that new creation, alive through the Spirit of Christ. It is by grace through faith that one is delivered, healed and made whole. What works (it is not of works, lest any man should boast) are there that you could do (other then obedience to His Word), that would be greater then that which Jesus Christ already did in and on your behalf?

[Fear God]-- the antidote to following creature-idols and "vanities," whether self-righteousness <Eccl. 7:16,18> or wicked oppression and other evils <Eccl. 8:12-13>, or mad mirth <Eccl. 2:2; 7:2-5>, or self-mortifying avarice (greed or covetousness) <Eccl. 8:13,17>, and gloomy complaining and discontent, or youth spent without God <Eccl. 11:9; 12:1>.

[This (is) the whole (duty) of man]-- literally, this is the whole man: the full ideal of man, as originally contemplated, realized wholly by Jesus Christ alone; and, through Him, by saints, now in part, hereafter perfectly. (from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)

To reverence God, this is the antidote, the complete authoritative prescription for the rebellion and disobedience that lies in the heart of man, when he is in rebellion to God and His Word. If you love God, the Word tells us that one will then keep His commandments. Why? So that one will be pleasing to Him; just as Jesus Christ was by the example He set for us to follow.

Man today is no different then Israel of the old covenant. They are so busy making rules, and more rules, that they miss the simplicity that is in the Gospel of Christ. The salvation of God has appeared to all men, however, it can only be revealed and comprehended by those that will seek Him in and on His terms and conditions. It is made available to those that desire to know God, and the deep things concerning Him. And these things can only be revealed by His Spirit.

Eph 3:9, And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (KJV)

If it has been hid by God, guess who is then able to reveal it?

Eph 3:9 - And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery,.... Or "the dispensation of the mystery". The mystery is the Gospel; the fellowship of it is the communication of grace by it, a participation of the truths and doctrines of it, communion with Father, Son, and Spirit, which the Gospel calls and leads unto, and that equal concern and interest which both Jews and Gentiles have in the privileges of it. Now men are naturally in the dark about these things, and the ministry of the word is the means of enlightening them, and is indeed the grand design of it; and the ministers of the Gospel do instrumentally enlighten persons, though it is God only that does it efficiently; and for this, gifts of grace were bestowed upon the apostle, even for the enlightening of all men, not every individual person in the world, but some of all sorts. (John Gill commentary)

It is given to you to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. {Mark 4:11} Jesus Christ plainly tells us that there is but one way into His fold, and that any other way is that of a thief or a robber. We are told, that one must be born again to see and to enter the kingdom of God. Yet, if one does not know the facts, or where to find them, what will the end result be? How will they know which path to take? Jesus Christ said to come and follow Him. So the question each and every believer has to ask themselves is, who, or what is it that you are following? Is it based on the rules and traditions given by man? Or, is it that which God has revealed to you by His Spirit? Only the truth according to God’s Word, will gain one admittance into His kingdom. It’s a matter of fact!

That you may know Him,

In the service of Jesus Christ.

Larry Gazelka J