Fear God and Keep His Commandment

By Evangeline Esaaba Folson

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandment for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether

it be evil.

The Good News Translation says: (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

After all this, there is only one thing to say: Have reverence (respect) for God, and obey His commands because this is all that we were created for.

There are a few phrases in Ecclesiastes 12:13 that need elaboration:

After all this
There is only one thing to say
Have reverence for God
Obey His commands
That is all that we were created for

Ecclesiastes 12:14 of the Good News Translation says:

God is going to judge everything we do, whether good or bad, even things done in secret. For this verse, the following phrase will be explained:

God will judge everything
Whether good or bad
Even things done in secret

‘After all this’ (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

This phrase implies that several things have been said and explained. It also implies that the author or writer is concluding his story or message and he would like to bring out the important things and draw a logistically conclusion. Revelation 22:20 which concludes the bible says:

He which testifieth these things saith, surely 1 come quickly. Amen.

Even so come Lord Jesus.

This means that a lot has been said, and what I would like you to remember is that “surely I come quickly”

“There is only one thing to say”

The phrase above means though a lot has been said there is one thing I will like you to remember above all other things.

Jesus says something similar in Luke 10:41-42

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her

By this Jesus was referring to Mary sitting at His feet and listening to His teachings. This is also important for all Christians, spending time studying the word and praying.

“Have reverence for God”

This important thing the writer is talking about is in two parts. The first one is have “reverence”

Or respect for God. Hold Him in high esteem and look up to him for direction in all you do.

This is summarized in Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings, in all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct your paths.

“Obey His commands”

The second part of this important thing is to “Obey God’s commands”

Obeying God’s commands involves all that is stated in Deutronomy 28:1

And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command thee this day…

“That is all we are created for”

Having reverences for God and

Obeying His commands

Are the two most important things God require from us as Christians.

You have to accept the gift of salvation first then you live according to God’s will as expressed in Ecclesiastes 12:13. Respect God and obey Him. That is why He created you. It is your most important duty or assignment on earth. To fear (reverence) God and Keep His commandment.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 “God will judge everything”

Hebrews 9:27 says

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

That means, everyone will be judged after death.

Another verse says God will test your works by passing them through fire.

1 Corinthians 3:13 says Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

“Whether Good or bad”

This phrase means both good and bad things or works will be judged or tested. It is therefore important that we consider everything we do carefully before proceeding.

We should always seek to please God in all that we do. (Matthew 5:16)

“Even things done in secret”

There is nothing like a “secret”. Your fellow men may not see all you do but beings in the spirit world, God and His angels can see all we do, even things we tell no one about.

Luke 8:17 (Good News Translation) says

Whatever is hidden away will be brought out into the open, and whatever is covered up will be found and brought to light.

Therefore be careful what you do in secret. Always fear the Lord and keep His commands and it will be well with you.

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