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Gleanings From The Word

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?

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  • Purpose in the Process: Why God Takes His Time with Sanctification

    a narrow trail atop a mountain stretching as far as the eye can see - the long road to holiness

    I’m not a big fan of process; I like instant results. Unfortunately, God’s timing seems a process to us. It’s a long, narrow road that isn’t always easy to follow. 

    Becoming a Christian is quick and simple. When we become believers, our sins are forgiven, the Holy Spirit moves in, we are justified and have the imputed righteousness of Christ.

    Becoming Christ-like, that is, the process of sanctification, is a lifelong process. It’s the day-by-day, moment-by-moment choices that lead us to be made like Jesus. 

    One source describes it this way: “Sanctification is the process by which believers are set apart for God’s purposes and are progressively transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. It is a work of God’s grace that begins at the moment of salvation and continues throughout the believer’s life. Sanctification involves both a definitive aspect, where believers are positionally sanctified in Christ, and a progressive aspect, where they grow in holiness and obedience.”

    It’s easy to get frustrated along the way and quit. We face the challenges of temptation and sin. Sometimes, it’s just plain hard work, and progress seems slow.

    C. S. Lewis wrote about the student who is tempted to quit his Bible reading because he hasn’t been perfectly consistent with it:

    “No, he doesn’t quit. You don’t expect to see a drastic change overnight. But he continues to work at it. Some days he misses. Occasionally, he makes sinful choices that really set him back. But he stumbles along, developing the skill of Bible reading and getting better and better at it. After a week nothing looks that different. After a month, you can kind of tell. After a semester, there’s noticeable change. After 5 years, he’s unrecognizable. Have you been struggling? Are you tempted to give up? Don’t do it. Get back and try it again. Little by little, “you are turning the central part of you…into something a little different from what it was before” (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity).

    There must be a purpose in the process, or God would have just skipped it altogether. His goal in the process is laid out clearly in Paul’s writings.

    And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers; and those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30

    It can be a long journey. It’s going to take our entire life to get there. When we do arrive, what a time that will be. We will have been fully sanctified – set apart for God, made Christ-like, and be ready for life ever after with the one who loved us enough to die for us.

    Press on, my weary companions. Keep your eye on the prize. When you fall, get back up.

    It will be worth every moment of struggle, hardship and effort.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Kevin 

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    SUMMARY

    Salvation happens in a moment, but becoming Christ-like is a lifelong process of sanctification that God uses purposefully to conform us to the image of His Son. Though the journey is slow and hard, it is worth every struggle — press on.

    TAKEAWAY

     Justification is instantaneous; sanctification is progressive and lifelong 

    God has a purpose in the process — conforming believers to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-30) 

    Falling short is not the end; the call is to get back up and keep pressing forward.

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