Ecclesiastes 7:16-18
Each post we encourage you to get you Bible out and read the entire text. I know recently this has not been a problem as we have been dissecting Solomon’s thoughts one at a time. But I want encourage you to still look up the verses, read some study notes, and try to get a full understanding of the content, and context of the passage.
Can a person be too extreme for God? Can you be too Extreme in serving the Savior? What about 1 John 2:6 whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. Well, Jesus had a pretty extreme life wouldn’t you say? A homeless man who had an incredible following, healed the sick, raised the dead, called the religious leaders, hypocrites, and a brood of vipers, and was crucified on the cross where He paid the punishment for all mankind. Pretty Extreme sounding to me!
You may be quick to say no you can’t be too extreme, however if you say no, you are saying that Solomon was wrong, when he said the man who fears God will avoid all extremes. (V.18b) And if Solomon was incorrect in this statement, then you would be saying that the Bible has error, and therefore 2 Timothy 3:16:17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Is a false statement. You can see we are quickly walking down a bad trail, but do you see how important it is study the Word of God. If a non believer lays this question on you what do you say?
Well here you go: all scripture is God-breathed. There is nothing false, and no contradictions. Can a person be to extreme for God? The Answer is yes! When a person who thinks they are following Christ starts going against what the Bible teaches, under the assumption they are doing good.
Let me explain with some examples. I have seen those professing to be Christians, completely ignore and neglect their families in order to study the Bible. I have seen Christians leave their spouse, in order to be more free to serve Jesus. I have heard of a fellow pastor tell a women to leave her husband if he did not become a member of their denomination (which she did). I have heard people quote “spare the rod spoil the child” as their reasoning for beating their children.
We are to serve Christ with all we are. However, these examples are specific cases of being too extreme for Savior. Lay down our life, pick up our cross and follow Him (YES). Divorce our spouse beat our children in the name of Jesus (NO).
Here is an action step for today. And it doesn’t specifically go with today’s post, but it will be valuable in your life. Start spending some time studying God’s Word. Devotions are good; they start our day on the right foot, and give us small glimpses of the things of God. However they are not a replacement for some good old Bible study. That’s right, get out the Bible dictionary, pull out a good set of commentaries, compare, and cross reference. Make it your desire to have an answer next time someone tells you the Bible is full of contradictions other than “well my pastor says it ain’t.” Find out for yourself. But don’t be too extreme!
