The Mind of Christ

Ecclesiastes 5:7 For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.

Ecclesiastes had always been a difficult book for me to get my mind wrapped around, as a matter of fact I began teaching it and stopped the first night of teaching because the Holy Spirit had not yet prepared me for it. By the way, that’s ok! Some books and theology are more difficult than others and it is ONLY in the Lord’s time does he reveal different aspects to you. Don’t be discouraged!! Since that experience the Holy Spirit showed me more and I had the opportunity to study through it with the help of our Pastor and some other elders..it was such a fun study. Ok that said, this chapter of Ecclesiastes is so cool. The word “God” is used 7 times!!! Solomon who is the author has been making the point that anything and everything that the world offers is insufficient (or vanity=a vapor) compared to what God has to offer us..ie himself!!

With that thought in mind we come to the 5th chapter in which Solomon tells us how wonderful, reverent, and important it is “coming to the house of God” What is being expressed is the gift of worship. We are told in John 4:24 “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. What John and Solomon are talking about is how we worship, both make it clear that there is only one way to worship and that is in spirit and truth…it’s not one or the other.

To worship in spirit means that when we worship it is done through the Holy Spirit which reveals the Truth of who Christ is. This truth we learn through the revealed will of God in the scriptures and from teachers/preachers. When we do this kind of worship, as an act of faith, which we have been given as a gift. Then we rightly worship God and in turn God rewards us. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. The reward is not by fiscal gain or earthly riches but our reward is far superior…more knowledge about the character of God, assurance of eternity, and peace that passes understanding.

The second part to this is to worship in truth. The problem that Solomon discusses in this chapter is an unworthy sacrifice. The sacrifice being brought to the temple were not adequate for worship, they were in need of a better sacrifice than an animal. Hebrews 9:13-14 says, “For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” To simplify, to worship in truth is to worship the one who was sent to die as our perfect sacrifice which is Jesus. Jesus is the “way, the truth, and life” (John 14:6) so we worship both in spirit (knowing who God is) and in Truth (though the work of Jesus).

Let’s put this all together with our focus verse. The “but God” in this verse makes it clear that when “our dreams, and our words grow many” that this is vanity. This is so true because look who is doing the verbs…we are! We are chasing after things of the world and worshipping in a manner that is for US and not centered around our heavenly Father. Somolon is making the point that it is better to “fear” God because we are not only showing reverence to God but also this fear leads us to wisdom about what He has accomplished for us. Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Worship is a gift, faith is a gift, our salvation is a gift, wisdom is a gift, knowledge is a gift, the Spirit is a gift, Jesus is a gift…it is all because God so loved the world and this is Worthy of our praise! Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!