Tag: Romans

  • Meaningless to Meaningful

    What Ecclesiastes Teaches About Meaning in Life 

    Leaves blowing in the wind

    I’m often asked what my favorite book of the Bible is, and typically I answer Romans. Surprisingly, though, I often find myself in Ecclesiastes. I love Romans for its robust, deep theology. Paul wrestles with some very difficult questions and teaches us things that can be hard to hear.

    Ecclesiastes, on the other hand, is King Solomon’s lament. Solomon had it all. He was the richest and wisest man in the world at the time. His influence shaped nations near and far. His nation was an economic powerhouse that reached every corner of the known world. 

    Near the end of his life, he comes to some startling conclusions about all He is, has and has done. 

    The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 ESV

    That theme echoes throughout the short book.  All of it is meaningless. All is vanity, emptiness, a chasing after the wind. That’s a harsh condemnation because the things He calls meaningless are what the world tells us will bring us completeness, happiness and fulfillment.

    If that’s true, where is the meaning in life? Where do we find our purpose? Fortunately, Solomon answers that for us.

    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 ESV

    The Apostle Paul writes:

    Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

    Jesus put it this way,

    But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 ESV

    Stepping outside the Scriptures, the Westminster Shorter Catechism tells us that the chief end of humanity is

    “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever”

    The key to meaning in life is to follow after the things of God. Nothing else will satisfy. It’s the purpose God created you for.

    Are you chasing after the wind or the things that will really fulfill you?

    Kevin

    SUMMARY

    I love Romans for its theology, but Ecclesiastes is where I keep returning. Solomon’s verdict on a life that had everything still cuts through today, and his answer to that emptiness is the answer to ours.

    TAKEAWAY

    You can gain everything the world calls success and still find it empty, because none of it was ever built to satisfy you.

    The answer isn’t found in more. It’s found in fearing God and keeping His commandments, no matter how much or how little you have.

    Ask yourself honestly: are you chasing after the wind, or are you chasing after the one thing that actually lasts?

    You might enjoy

    Celebrate your identity in Christ

    The gospel, the best news ever

    What really matters

    Parallel tracks – Divine choice or personal responsibility

  • “Follow Your Heart? Not Biblical Advice 

    follow your heart or follow God - which path will you choose

    There’s a common piece of advice out there. It simply says “Follow Your Heart!”

    It sounds so simple, so warm and fuzzy. It sounds incredibly wise. After all, if you truly follow your heart, what could possibly go wrong? It’s the key to enjoying life.

    There’s only one problem with it. It’s absolutely ungodly advice.

    Here’s what the Bible teaches about the condition of the human heart.

    “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9

    We are fallen beings with a sin nature. Left to our own devices, we will choose anything over the God who loves us. We’ll pick darkness over light more often than not. We’ll choose short-term pleasure over long-term growth. We will hurt others to get what we want.

    Following your heart is dangerous. It leads straight down the broad highway to hell and destruction. It promises things that can never be sustainably delivered.

    Our fleshly nature is flawed. We need to be guided by the Holy Spirit and the Word. The LORD is our Creator, Jesus our redeemer and the Holy Spirit our indwelling guide. God loves us to an unimaginable degree, and He knows far better what is good for us than we do.

    Even after we’ve been born again, we struggle against our flesh and the desires of our hearts. Paul put it this way,

    For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. Romans 7:15-18

    Believers must trust the Spirit to guide us. We need the Word to teach us and the church to hold us accountable.

    In the path of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death. Proverbs 12:28

     “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow, and the way that leads to life is constricted, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14

    Don’t follow your heart. Let His path guide you. Allow Him to change your desires into the desires of His heart, He will never lead you astray.

    May the Lord guide your steps.

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

    SUMMARY

    This devotional challenges the popular but unbiblical advice to “follow your heart,” contrasting it with Scripture’s warning that the human heart is deceitful and cannot be trusted as a guide. It calls believers instead to be led by the Holy Spirit and the Word, walking the narrow path of righteousness rather than the broad way that feels natural but leads to destruction.

    KEY POINTS

    The heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) and even believers wrestle with their flesh, as Paul describes in Romans 7 

    “Follow your heart” sounds wise but actually leads down the broad road to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14) 

    True guidance comes from the Holy Spirit, the Word, and the church, not from fleshly desire

    You might also like

    The gospel – The true miracle cure

    You might also like “How reliable is your heart?”

    Thoughts on right belief and right living