The Point of Living

​The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

​The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes spends much of the book driving home the point that most of what we do in this world and in this life is pointless because nothing in this life will last forever and nothing that we work for in this world can be taken with us when we die.  Thus, by the end of the book, the burning question is this—does anything really matter?  What is the point of life?  What is the point of living?  To that question he replies, “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”  Humans were created to know God and to worship him, to fear him and keep his commandments.  Not to fear God in a way that we are afraid he will harm us, but fear in a way that renders to God the respect and worship he deserves.  Thus, the whole duty of mankind, the whole reason for our existence and purpose in life is to “fear God and keep his commandments.”  Why?  The next verse says, “For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”  The reason is because this life is temporary; this life is fleeting.  Thus, the only thing that matters is how we live for God.  I have a plaque in my home that I love looking at everyday as it serves as a good reminder to me.  It reads: “Only one life, t’will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”  That statement is incredibly true.  Only what we do for Christ matters.  Only what we do for the glory of Christ will have any eternal significance.  This is what drives me.  This is how I try to live my life.  I hope this will describe your life as well.  “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”