THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF MAN

Alex The Hawk · 09-04-2005, 08:23 AM

The Whole Purpose of Man

"Furthermore, from these, my son, be warned: the making of many books has no end, and much study wearies the flesh. The end of the whole matter let us hear: 'Fear God and keep His commands, for this is the whole [purpose] of man.'" Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) 12:12-13

What if every time the doors of your congregation were open, you were there--twice, three times, maybe even four times a week--sitting in the front row, ready to hear the Word? What if you also attended a weekly bible study? What if you bought a new faith-related book every week and devoured it? What if every day you spent two or three hours just studying the word? What if, every morning, you wrote a daily devotional?

What if you do all these things, and"¦

"¦ you never lead someone to Messiah"¦
"¦ you never have peace or joy"¦
"¦ you never make a difference in other peoples' lives"¦
"¦ you never learn how to give or receive love"¦
"¦ you take your spouse or children for granted or treat them poorly
"¦ you continually have bouts with depression"¦
"¦ your life never really changes"¦

For teachers and students alike, the trap is the same: write or read more books, and you will grow in Messiah. Teach or study the Scriptures more, and you will better know God. It's just not true. Read all you want, study all you want, espouse knowledge all you want, but it won't make an ounce of difference in the end. Unless"¦

Unless we "fear God and keep his commands."

Studying, or knowing what the Word of God says is not the point. The point is doing what WHAT THE WORD SAYS--putting what we have learned into action. What does He want us to do? Change. He wants us to change, and then facilitate change in others. He wants us to grow up in our salvation and lead others to do the same. Staying up until all hours, neglecting our spouse and family while we study the Scriptures? "[It] has no end, and much study wearies the flesh." No. We already know what we need to do to change--so let's do it. Just fear God and keep his commands--"this is the whole [purpose] of man."

P R A Y E R

Father, help me to do more than sit here and silently read this prayer today. Pick me up, if you have to, and get me on the floor, that I may bow down and give you the reverence you deserve. Lift up my hands, if you must, and let shouts of praise come from my lips. Teach me, Father, to stop amassing knowledge without letting it manifest itself in me through actions of faith and love. I bless you, Adonai. I praise you, my King! Show me your ways, and I will follow you with all that I am"¦.

Rebel Hog · 09-04-2005, 09:52 AM

To enjoy His existence and share His nature.

ECC. 12:13
[13] Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man

Snooky · 09-04-2005, 03:56 PM

Brother come on now. I used to believe that but some on this board have shown clearly that we can't use that scripture today-- It was under the law!! Therefore we can only use those scriptures from the Old Testament that support our view. They even showed how that David and others just inserted their thoughts into the scripture and therefore we don't have to listen to them, unless of coarse they support the view that they like to portray as "The Word of God". Every word of God must be be annalized by them and get their approval to be declared valid scripture.

Forgive me in my follie. That scripture needs no explanation. It stands alone. We either believe it, or we don't believe all the scripture. Ye shall live by EVERY word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Rebel Hog · 09-04-2005, 04:14 PM

Bro.Snooky, who were replying too?

Snooky · 09-04-2005, 04:44 PM

Bro Hog I was replying to Alex the Hawk.

Rebel Hog · 09-04-2005, 05:15 PM

10-4!

Alex The Hawk · 09-05-2005, 04:34 PM

So you are not under God's law ? Even the angels are under His law.
the Universe is under his law.

The Law of Moses is 613 commandments and there are over 1000 in the new testament, so we are not under the Law ? C'mon

leafriverlizzie · 09-06-2005, 07:11 AM

Quote:

The point is doing what WHAT THE WORD SAYS--putting what we have learned into action. What does He want us to do? Change. He wants us to change, and then facilitate change in others. He wants us to grow up in our salvation and lead others to do the same. Staying up until all hours, neglecting our spouse and family while we study the Scriptures? "[It] has no end, and much study wearies the flesh." No. We already know what we need to do to change--so let's do it. Just fear God and keep his commands--"this is the whole [purpose] of man."

Amen to that! good post.