Overly Righteous? -Ecclesiastes 7
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Hi Hubpages!
All I can say is that after reading this verse I truly get it now. I hope it helps! God Bless you and keep you!
-Cely
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Ecclesiastes 7:15-18
In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these:
the righteous perishing in their righteousness,
and the wicked living long in their wickedness.
16 Do not be over-righteous,
neither be over-wise—
why destroy yourself?
17 Do not be over-wicked,
and do not be a fool—
why die before your time?
18 It is good to grasp the one
and not let go of the other.
Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes (ESV)
We have all met people who seem to be ‘on fire’ for God, They are always attending church, prayer meetings, and witnessing to others about Jesus. Yet after a few years go by, or even a few months, they are nowhere to be found. They are like spiritual comets that blaze brightly for a while and then burn out.
King Solomon warns against being ‘overly righteous’ and that there is such a thing as ‘a just man who perishes in his righteousness’. It’s not that reading the Bible, prayer, and going to church, and witnessing are ever bad things to do. The concern is that if people go through all these motions in a fixated sense of trying to earn something instead of allowing the Lord to mature them, and then they are destined for burnout. Real spiritual beings have staying power! Jesus said, “He who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matt. 10:22).
(Notes by Spirit Full Bible for Students, 1995 and Cely)
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Well said: "...people go through all these motions... trying to earn something instead of allowing the Lord to mature them". You've packed quite a punch in this short hub. Good work. Thank your for sharing...
feenix Level 7 Commenter 11 months ago
Cely, this is an awesome hub with a very powerful message.
I particularly identify with this post because over the years I have been on both sides of the fence that you talk about: I have been "overly righteous" and I have been "very wicked".
However, not so very long ago, I made the decision to turn my life and my will over to the care Jesus, and as a result, I am not that sanctimonious and devious person I used to be.
Oh, I am still very much a sinner but opposite of the way I used to be, I almost always acknowledge my sins, ask for forgiveness, and make a strong effort not to repeat the same infraction again.