September 11, 2024
During the long life God has so graciously given me, I spent more than seven years formally studying and earning college degrees in science and theology. However, the most important thing I know is what I learned as a knuckle-headed teenager. And that most important fact can be expressed in a mere two words: “Jesus saves.”
I obviously believe in and encourage all intelligent people to get a good education. But I have come to see why Solomon stated, “For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow” (Ecclesiastes 1:18). God also tells us, “Of making many books there is no end, and much study is weariness to the flesh” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). All good students will quickly agree with this statement.
But Solomon also advocates wisdom. He tells us in Ecclesiastes 2:13, “Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.” Solomon, like any wise person, did not consider himself wise. Wisdom never acknowledges itself. No wise person ever thinks of himself as wise. Solomon said, “I said, ‘I will be wise;’ but it was far from me” (Ecclesiastes 7:23). How could the wisest man on earth not think himself wise? He was too wise for such vanity. Wisdom had taught Solomon humility, the best of all human characteristics,
I, too, prayed for wisdom when a youth, and God gave me just enough to trust Christ as my personal Savior. This is by far the best wisdom. In fact, my definition of wisdom is “Knowing Christ as Savior” or “Jesus saves.” King Solomon was the wisest man on earth in his day, but he proved that even a wise man can be quite foolish at times. He ended up disobeying God, as Satan, using his wealth and power, deceived him. We see much of the same thing today in the many billionaires of the world. To them Jesus asks, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).
Solomon ended his negative treatise of Ecclesiastes with a true, great, and wise statement. He says in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Man was created to give God glory. He did not have to create us, and He certainly did not need us. How fortunate we are that God simply wanted us for the glory and fellowship we are to give Him!
But sadly, today most people do not live to give God glory. They do not even want to know God, as most live as though they do not even believe God exists. How sad and tragic this is! And how tragic is their fate and the destiny of their poor souls. What they are not aware of is that their souls are immortal and must spend eternity either in the bliss and happiness of heaven or in the misery and torments of hell.
Pray for all unbelievers, especially any you know. And do your job if you are a Christian by telling them the wonderful news that Jesus saves. And all it takes to secure heaven as the destiny of any soul is sincere belief in Christ as God the Son and calling on Him for salvation. Amen
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Ralph Fudge is the pastor of Big Ochlocknee Baptist Church in Coolidge, Ga., and has a Master’s degree in theology from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
