The Conclusion: Our Duty // Ecclesiastes 12:13

Let’s look at today’s verse in context: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NIV).

Our duty is to follow God, because everything we say or do — including those things we don’t say or do that we should have been when we had the opportunity — will be brought to light. Light? Yes, and remember, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). Jesus went on to say in John 13:34 that He gives us a new command, which is to love others as God loves us. And if we take yesterday’s writing seriously about how we are to serve ALL people, we must remember that this includes people with whom we agree and those with whom we do not. We are to serve all people in love, because this is precisely what the Lord did, and does, for us. This is our duty!

I want to close with Romans 5:10, “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life” (NIV)! This speaks directly to us…our duty is to love and reconcile all people, and not just those who believe or behave just like us. Will you?