THE WHOLE DUTY OF MAN
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Eccl. 12:13, N.I.V.
You have been hired to be the executive director of a newly formed company. You know you are going to be paid a terrific salary, that your employee benefits are very adequate, and that your office is comfortably and stylishly furnished. What else could you possibly need to know? Your duties of course!
We have been called to work for the Master. We know that our reward is eternal life and that all the resources of heaven are at hand to help us. What else do we need to know? What duties are required of us? Today's text makes it plain: "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
It reminds me of another scripture found in Revelation 14:6, 7: "Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth--to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, 'Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water ' " (N.I.V.). Verse 12 describes those who accept this message as "those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" (R.S.V.). It appears that the whole duty of man involves nothing less than appropriating the eternal gospel to our lives.
Jesus was asked, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" He answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent" (John 6:28, 28, N.I.V.). And so it all begins to fit together. To fear God is to respect and reverence Him--to believe Him! But that cannot happen unless you know Him. The way to begin to know Him is to learn His ways and to follow His guidelines. And these guidelines were amplified in the person and life of His Son. By looking to Jesus, you will see how reasonable and trustworthy God the Father is. You will be able to speak to others accurately about who He is, which glorifies Him.
In a nutshell, our duty is to come to know and enjoy our wonderful Father! Now, isn't that good news?
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Eccl. 12:13, N.I.V.
You have been hired to be the executive director of a newly formed company. You know you are going to be paid a terrific salary, that your employee benefits are very adequate, and that your office is comfortably and stylishly furnished. What else could you possibly need to know? Your duties of course!
We have been called to work for the Master. We know that our reward is eternal life and that all the resources of heaven are at hand to help us. What else do we need to know? What duties are required of us? Today's text makes it plain: "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
It reminds me of another scripture found in Revelation 14:6, 7: "Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth--to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, 'Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water ' " (N.I.V.). Verse 12 describes those who accept this message as "those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" (R.S.V.). It appears that the whole duty of man involves nothing less than appropriating the eternal gospel to our lives.
Jesus was asked, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" He answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent" (John 6:28, 28, N.I.V.). And so it all begins to fit together. To fear God is to respect and reverence Him--to believe Him! But that cannot happen unless you know Him. The way to begin to know Him is to learn His ways and to follow His guidelines. And these guidelines were amplified in the person and life of His Son. By looking to Jesus, you will see how reasonable and trustworthy God the Father is. You will be able to speak to others accurately about who He is, which glorifies Him.
In a nutshell, our duty is to come to know and enjoy our wonderful Father! Now, isn't that good news?
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