By Riley Nelson, Richmond Hill Church of Christ
Man it seems has always been looking for answers since the beginning of time. Some have sailed the oceans to search for new lands just to get an answer to the question, “What is out there?” Others have searched the world over to find the answer to the questions of life. Today men still seek for answers to questions of life, questions of death, and questions of purpose. The Bible tells of one who searched for answers to his inquiries. The man was Solomon. “And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith” (Ecclesiastes 1:13). As one reads the writings of Solomon in Ecclesiastes and in Proverbs, it is readily seen that he did what he set out to do. When he had finished his experiments he realized something, something that he knew before he ever started his trek. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
The same is true today, no matter how far advance man has come in technology or education. God holds the answer to all man’s questions. Peter wrote, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: “ (II Peter 1:2,3). If one has questions about this life and how to be successful in this life, God’s book the Bible has the answer. If man wonders about death and what is beyond the grave, God’s book has the answer to those questions also.
How can a person be successful in this life? Notice this passage: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” (Matt. 6:19,20). In the context of this passage, Jesus is telling His listeners not to place all their trust in what they can do for themselves, rather do your part, but trust in God. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Mat.6:33).
How then can man be successful in the next life? By doing what it takes to be truly successful in this life, put your trust in God and obey Him. If a person follows God’s word, not adding to it nor subtracting from it he will be prepared for eternity.
The answers to man’s questions are; God created life, He desires man to love and worship Him. He provides for man here, and He has provided a place for man to spend eternity. Man must do what he can here, as to labour, (he just can’t sit back and expect God to do everything for him, it was not that way even in the Garden of Eden i.e. Gen. 2:15) and man must obey God in order to spend eternity in heaven (Heb. 5:8, 9). Remember the words of the wise man Solomon, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).