Futility in Life
From Eco-Bible 1
These are notes for an incomplete "Concept" page.
- Information is being added as the Bible Pages are added. In the end, everything will be compiled, further information added (as necessary), broken links connected, etc.
|
- This is one of the ways that: Human Sin Affects All Creation.
- Parallel concept: Subjection to Frustration.
- We often get the opposite of we really want: Satisfaction.
Scripture Pages that Link to Here
- We never reach a point of complete satisfaction, in which there is nothing left to want - whether physical needs, goals and desires, or something else. We have an inner drive for "something more" or "something new" - whatever it may be. And in this never-ending pursuit, we just never seem to get any further ahead. / Nothing is new... it's just forgotten and then repeated (or re-learned)! Like everything else, human accomplishment seems to repeat in cycles.
- Ecc 1:13-15 ... all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. ... all is vanity and a chasing after wind. That which is crooked can't be made straight; and that which is lacking can't be counted.
- This heavy burden is the result of human sin. It is related to what happened in Genesis 3:1-24. This frustration, futility and sorrow cannot be stopped - at least by us. (Jesus Christ will change things when he returns at the Day of Justice.)
- There is value in what we do, if it is done with wisdom. However, we also must remember that this present life is temporary and will come to an end. After that, nothing in this present world will have lasting meaning for us. This is the futility of life.
- The futile aspect of life is one of the consequences of human sin. It is part of the burden placed upon us (see chapter 1, also Genesis 3:1-24), because we, the human race, rebelled against God. If death, the consequence of sin, had never entered the world, then this futility would have never come into existence.
- A warning: Even if you do succeed at gaining all that you might want, it won't have any lasting meaning - even if you get it by legitimate means!
- After all the pain and grief we experience in our attempts to gain wealth, in the end, we will lose all of it!
- People just naturally pursue the things they desire; yet none of those things will ever bring complete and lasting satisfaction.
- The "fear of God" (and the resulting obedience) is the only thing that will remain after death. The rest will be forever gone.
Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.
|
