“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: 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.”
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
When asked about the greatest commandment in the law, Christ affirmed that it is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matt. 22:37). As Almighty God and Lord over all, he alone is worthy of such a level of devotion and affection. Further, in light of who he is, as well as what he has done and continues to do, the “conclusion of the whole matter” is that fearing and obeying God is not only our “reasonable service,” (Rom. 12:1), it is the “whole duty of man,” (Eccl. 12:13).
And yet, how far short do we come of loving him with all our “heart, soul, mind, and strength?” How could fallen man possibly offer up a sufficient level of worship, reverential fear, and obedience to God that he is truly worthy of? Edward Leigh responds, “God has promised to help us by his Spirit in holy duties. Therefore we must not only look to the commandment enjoining duty, but to the promise showing God’s mercy in helping us.”[1] God in his covenant of grace gives us what he requires of us, because as Christ reminds us in John 15:5, “… without me you can do nothing.”
Examples of this paradoxical truth abound in Scripture. The Lord commands, Cast away from you all your transgressions, and make you a new heart and a new Spirit (Ezek. 18:31). And then later, speaking through the same prophet, God promises, I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your filthiness; A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you (Ezek. 36:25). He commands us to fear him and keep his commandments (Eccl. 12:13), while promising to cause us to walk in his statutes (Ezek. 36:27). He commands us to soften our heart (Heb. 3:8), while promising to make it so himself (Ezek. 36:26). He commands us to pray and make known our needs to him (Phil. 4:6), while promising to give us his Spirit of grace and supplication (Zech. 12:10).
God’s promises are the foundation undergirding all our performances, for it is not by our working that we cause him to fulfill his promises, but rather by carrying out his promises, he enables us to perform our works. For this reason, when we come before him with pure heart and honorable intent we can be assured that the service we offer him will be acceptable to him. As the Lord through Moses often told his people, “If you do well, shall you not be accepted?” (Gen. 4:7, see also Lev. 1:3-4, 22:21, 23:11; Exod. 28:36, 38), for “whatever good thing any man does, the same shall he receive of the LORD,” (Eph. 6:8).
Contemplations:
- Lord, do I demonstrate a level of true affection and reverential fear of you that you alone are worthy of? I do realize that the love and devotion I am able to offer you is because of your most excellent and wonderful grace shed abroad in my heart.
- Lord, I know that you are the beginning and end of all things, and I fear you aright because of this truth.
- I read in Your Word, Lord, that the churches of Judea being in peace, were edified and walked in the fear of God and were abundantly filled with the comfort of the Holy Spirit. In this reverential fear I find that I am drawn into your presence.
- When I have a right fear of you, Lord, I am in awe of you. This is the point when I take the greatest heed to your commandments lest I offend you.
Further References for Eccl. 12:13-14:
Psa. 51:19; Isaiah 60:7; Ezek. 43:27, 20:40-41; Mal. 3:4
[1] Edward Leigh, A Treatise of the Divine Promises in Five Books (London: George Miller, 1641), 369.
