It's That Simple

But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out. [Ecclesiastes 12.12] 

With all the libraries of books written about the Bible and the academia surrounding those books, doesn't it make sense that by now as history goes "people of the Bible" today should be highly unified?

But, they are not. The "Church" is highly divided. Opposing denominations and doctrines abound. Proponents of various denominations or sects most often isolate themselves only to their own views on the Bible and Christianity. Every denomination or sect vehemently defends its particular "take" on the Bible while ultimately decrying all others. Even those opposed to "denomination" have effectively become a denomination unto themselves. What a mess! This "mess" is certainly not what Jesus prayed for!

Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. [John 17.11]

I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. [John 17.21]

For Solomon to make the observation of Ecclesiastes 12.12 is a big deal because Solomon was a man of great wisdom. So, in light of Solomon having made the statement of Ecclesiastes 12.12, we should be keenly alert to what he followed that observation with:

That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. [Ecclesiastes 12.13]

If writing books and studying are not the answer, what is? Fearing God and obeying His commands.

Unfortunately the topic of fearing God and obeying His commands is just as divisive among denominations and sects of Christianity. Most of Christianity must necessarily engage in long dialog to "explain" fearing God and obeying His commands. These explanations generally address the Bible's division into the Old and New Testaments. So much effort has been made to support the distinction between the Old and New Testaments that few, if any are actually grounded on the overriding Bible fact that Jesus existed from the beginning. And so, the arguments continue...

However, if people will see it, Jesus explained "fearing God and obeying His commands" in simple terms:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

If all the books in the world, and all the study thereof, do not arrive at Matthew 16.24, they are eternally useless. Jesus attested to this fact:

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! [John 5.39]

Every bit of "fearing God and obeying His commands" is fulfilled in a person giving up their own way, taking up their cross, and following Jesus.

It's that simple. Our religious divisions are wrong, and Jesus is right.

Father, Solomon's testimony is valid... He walked in Your extreme blessings, forsook You, and then seemingly came back to You in his conclusion of Ecclesiastes 12.13. May we be as candid in our understanding. So be it.