Why Are We Here?

“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

Have you ever wondered why we are here, what life is all about?

The Book of Ecclesiastes, also called The Preacher, is comprised of the musings of King Solomon. He was called the wisest man who ever lived, and we know that he gave himself to pondering the things of life and happiness, and the deep things of God.

He contemplated everything under the sun. He wondered why the wicked often have it so good, yet the righteous must often struggle. He also observed that there is nothing new under the sun, and that all human courses are vain. “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity”. Ecclesiastes 1:2

At the end of twelve chapters of this book, he comes to the conclusion that the whole duty of man, and the reason for his existence, is not for us to please ourselves or to gain possessions or notoriety, but to fear God and to keep His commandments, for it is the only thing in life that is not vanity.

I was in a church service some time back where the pastor pointed out and honoured the eldest member of the congregation. Knowing that with age comes wisdom, he asked the man if he had any words of wisdom for the congregation. At that, the man said, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

Fear God

To fear God is to reverence and respect God — to know, as the Bible says, that it is He who holds our future in His hands. Jesus said, “… fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

The fear of the Lord leads to blessing, understanding and wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom . . .” Psalms 111:10

There is great reward and great blessing for those who fear, reverence and respect the Lord. He delights in them, and blesses them. They are dear to Him.

Keep His Commandments

Jesus said in John chapter 14 verses 15 and 21 that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments.

Therefore, when we keep His commandments, we show Him, ourselves and others that we love Him. “And this is love, that we walk after his commandments…” 2 John 1:6