LIFE WITH GOD OR WITHOUT HIM  

The book of Ecclesiastes offers an original and interesting contrast between the life with God and life without God. Reading this book from the contrasting perspective mentioned above, one can understand both the quest and the conclusions to which the writer of the book comes to. They are the same for any human being in general. Obviously, it is not hard for anyone to find himself or, herself involved in the same quest and come to the same conclusions, even though many people refuse to admit the truths corresponding to these realities.

To not know God and honor Him, leads to a life without meaning and purpose. This kind of life is described as a life “under the sun” (Eccl. 1:3, 9, 14; 2:11, 17), “on earth” (Eccl. 5:2; 8:13) and “under the heavens” (Eccl. 1:13). This kind of life is characterized by toil, suffering and lack of fulfillment. By way of contrast, the life with God is one based on everything that “comes from God’s hand” and leads to satisfaction, joy and harmony (Eccl. 2:24-26; 5:19).

These two opposite lifestyles are similar to the contrasting life that Adam and Eve had before the fall and after. In the beginning everything was good and in harmony, both in the Creation and in the life of the first couple. After they sinned, fear, shame, pain, hard work (Gen. 3), crime (Gen. 4), moral decay (Gen. 6), drunkenness and curse (Gen. 9) and finally the collapse of human relationships that led to a total confusion (Gen. 11) began to creep in their life and the life of future generations. What God created for the good of man became evil and destructive because of sin.

The books of Genesis and Ecclesiastes demonstrate so clear the complete contrast between what God intended for mankind and what we experience as a consequence of sin. We cannot avoid living in this fallen world. But we do have the possibility to know God, to serve Him and to confess Him, or to try to discover the meaning of life without Him.

There are certain significant realities that are mirrored in the presentation found in the books of Genesis and Ecclesiastes. They can help us take advantage of the chance offered by the Creator to choose, during our ephemeral existence, life with God for now and eternity. The first reality that I would like to point out is that we are a fragile combination of dust and breath of life God has imparted to us  (Gen. 2:7, 3:19; Eccl. 12:7). Secondly, from a moral point of view, Adam and Eve were created without blame, but, as a cause of the fall, everyone after them was subject to spiritual, moral and physical decay (Gen. 1:26-31, 3:16-19; Eccl. 7:20,29). God created man so that he may worship and serve Him but sin perverted his heart, so that he became influenced and even dominated by negative models and ideas, all this as a result of his separation from the Creator (Gen. 6:5-7; Eccl. 8:11, 9:3). After Adam and Eve fell into the trap of the devil through sin, they left behind as a legacy this demonic method of setting traps for others to fall in and cause them to sin (Gen. 3:6,12; Eccl. 7:23-29). Another thing worth mentioning here is that the Creator set man as a ruler over all Creation and everything was in perfect harmony. After the fall, things changed completely. Instead of working, guarding and enjoying the things entrusted by the Master, man left behind him a trail of destruction in the Creation (Gen. 3:17-19; Eccl. 1:15, 2:11, 5:16-17).

From these realities, briefly stated, we can see that in the book of Ecclesiastes comes the confirmation of the significance of those things that took place with man in Eden and after. We meet here a man who, in one way or another, represents every one of us. He faces himself and his life with honesty. He is seeking his ideals and draws the conclusions learned in the school of life.

Life without God is “meaningless” and doesn’t offer any real satisfaction. It is “chasing after the wind” (Eccl. 2:11). In conclusion, the only viable and right alternative for all of us is God. Life has meaning and purpose only when we live it for Him. The closing chapter of Ecclesiastes presents God from three different points of view. He is the Creator that brought us into existence and our sustainer. He is the Law Giver who gave us decrees to abide by. He is the Judge to who will bring every deed into judgment. 

This very God has revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. He presented God as the Father and by His sacrifice He brought us salvation from sin. What Adam lost through sin in the garden of Eden, Christ has won on the cross for us: fellowship with God.

Be honest with yourself and search your life. For who and how do you live your life? If you are not living it with God, make a 180® change. Receive Jesus in your heart and follow Him.  Since He died for you also, you may also live your life for Him only. You will be happy with God for now and all eternity. May the Lord help you and bless you.

Bishop Marinel Mesaros