Based on Ecclesiastes 7:15-18, 8:10-13 (New King James Version)
“I have seen everything in my days of vanity: There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness. Do not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself? Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? It is good that you grasp this, and also not remove your hand from the other; for he who fears God will escape them all.”
“Then I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of holiness, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done. This also is vanity. Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God.”
I think there have been many people that have observed that those that do evil are not quickly judged. As a matter of fact, I think many have wondered if anything at all is going to happen to people who do evil. Sometimes, it seems like everything works out for those that do wrong. They seem happy, and are able to achieve their goals almost effortlessly. It seems like life is much better for those that do wrong than those that try to do what is right. The writer of Ecclesiastes (king Solomon) observed that in today’s passage. Why is that?
God is merciful and gives all people, even those that seem to be very evil, an opportunity for repentance. God knows just how awful the price of sin is and He tries to give an opportunity for them to see the light and turn away from their evil ways. God is love.
However, because of this “apparent” injustice, many lose hope in doing that which is right. Many turn away from God thinking that they lose out on too much on life by trying to follow Him. Many Christians also live a life where they compromise God’s Biblical values, picking and choosing what they want to do. They believe that life is a balance of good and sin, and that they can have the best of both worlds. They believe they can get what they want here on earth by avoiding the inconvenient challenges that come from following God too closely; and at the same time, that God will be so loving, good, and forgiving, that they will make it into heaven just the same. This is a problem.
Despite the fact that God is love (He is amazingly and incredibly loving), God is also Holy. And as such, and even though the first thing we should learn to do is love God with everything we are, we are to fear the Lord as well. Love and fear go hand-in-hand when dealing with the Almighty and Eternal God of the universe. God can never forget who He is, especially when people think they can manipulate Him. The Bible teaches the following: “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31.
The Lord Himself taught us the following: “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him.” Luke 12:4-5. The only One that has the power and authority to kill and to cast into hell is God; not Satan. Satan can only temp you, and try to implant thoughts and ideas into your life so you can fall, but he has no power or authority over you. Here is where the power of decision comes in. We can choose to fall into the temptations of Satan and give into sin, or turn away. That is all you! The Lord also explained the following:“Then Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” John 5:19-29. So, it is the Son of Man (the Lord Jesus) who will judge. Paul also gave us clear warning as Christians (himself included) what would happen in the future (so don’t be deceived by bad teachings). For it is written: Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10. We will all give an account for what we did here on earth; both Christians and non-believers.
So, if we fear God, we will be able to “know” how to please Him and escape judgment now and forever. For it is also written: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7. Do you fear God? Lord bless! John