Dangerous

This, too, I carefully explored: Even though the actions of godly and wise people are in God’s hands, no one knows whether God will show them favor. The same destiny ultimately awaits everyone, whether righteous or wicked, good or bad, ceremonially clean or unclean, religious or irreligious. Good people receive the same treatment as sinners, and people who make promises to God are treated like people who don’t. [Ecclesiastes 9.1-2]

All who believe this, raise your hands.... Not me! Not for a minute!

What Solomon said here are the words of a wise man gone Godless.

If what Solomon said here is right, then the rest of the Bible is untrue and all God's promises are lies!

Make no mistake about it, God is good and only does good. He is good all the time. Man experiences bad because man is a sinner and God only punishes sin. God never rewards sin with good - ever. The day God rewards sin with good is the day He strips Himself of all power and authority and mankind is thrust into an eternity of suffering and separation (already set in motion).

The Bible is a dangerous book. Those who choose to quote a 'book' they have not studied in depth are at risk of great error. But, even if one does know the 'book' thoroughly and turns his back on God (hello, Solomon), he will still be confused and dumbfounded (hello, Ecclesiastes).

Father, You are good and only do good. Of course I may or may not ever realize future blessings from You, but that is all my doing and not Yours. Your promises are good and true - I believe them. Solomon's words noted above are the words of a man favored by You in the beginning who allowed himself to become compromised - help me take them to heart as a warning of my own fate (and pointlessness) if I allow my heart to be distracted and lulled into compromise and even outright disobedience.