"The Conclusion of the Whole Matter"

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all."  (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

When is the last time you heard an evangelical/charismatic say this?

I am finishing up this quarter's Bible reading.  Frankly, for me, this is indeed, "....the conclusion of the whole matter."  I have no doubt that humanity would be quite different if these Words ruled, in the home, the Church, the nations.

Our text is, "....the conclusion of the whole matter..," not just Ecclesiastes. It it also "the conclusion of" the teachings of Jesus.  Yet rarely are the Words, "fear God and keep the commandments," used by the spirituals among us, especially when speaking of Jesus.  They are so afraid that they might offend "The Four Spiritual Laws."  

Jesus' Words to the lawyer's question about, "eternal life,"  are His Words to humanity, "What is written in the Law?  What is your reading of it?"  What a non evangelical response to the question.  And then after the lawyer quotes the "Great Commandment," Jesus responds, not by, "O, no.  It's only believe," but rather with, "Do this and you shall live."  

I wondered today: What of Jesus' Life in me have I been doing today?

Father, in Jesus' Name, I want Your, "conclusion," no one else's.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

We Too Are, "Not From This World"

"Pilate answered,..'What have You done?'  Jesus answered, 'My Kingdom is not from this world.  If My Kingdom were from this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My Kingdom is not from here.'"  (John 18:36)

Most interesting that Jesus' first Words to Pilate in answer to his question are, "My Kingdom...."  This, my friend, is what, "Jesus Christ is Lord," means:  Jesus Christ is King of the Kingdom of Heaven/God, the Earth, the Universe.  And make no mistake that, "....not from here," does not mean that Jesus' Reign is not for here. The Authority and Power of Jesus' Kingdom is in the Godhead, "....not from here."

It was right after the crowd said, "We have no king but Caesar," that Pilate committed Jesus to the Cross.

You and I would have little trouble with those who are opposed to Jesus Christ if we just kept our "message" to what they call religion.  Read your Bibles; say your prayers; feed the poor, etc.  When we do exactly what Jesus has sent all of His Followers to do, however, "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,'" we then have taken the message, and the battle, into their realm, a kingdom realm, a rule realm, a control realm.  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for a revival of Kingdom preaching, teaching, and living in us.  Amen.  

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2