The Wicket Gate

Merry Christmas! This may not be published by the time Christmas 2024 arrives. It is nice though to put a date stamp on a piece so that I remember when I wrote it, and that the reader knows the mindset of the writer. This week we will discuss “How to Live Before You Die,” chapter fourteen of Brian Borgman’s Don’t Waste Your Breath, which covers Ecclesiastes 9:1-10.

“For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything they see before them. All things come alike to all: One event happens to the righteous and the wicked; To the good, the clean, and the unclean; To him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; He who takes an oath as he who fears an oath.  This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.” Ecclesiastes 9:1-3 NASB95

A few weeks ago our discussion dove into the very shallow end of the deep conversation comparing God’s will for our lives with respect to His lesser gifts (the things of earth). There are many shades of practical application, but the two extremes can be seen in asceticism and Christian hedonism. Asceticism, which is defined by Miriam Webster as “the practice of strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline…rigorous abstention from self-indulgence.” Or in my words, living life separate from non-Christians, focusing on removing all of God’s gifts for fear that they will become idols. I am not admonishing this way of life. God has ordained asceticism for many important uses in the history of the scriptures and by extension the church. God has many times preserved the faith by the remnant in the desert.

I wish to show another way from the scriptures, which has been promoted by Borgman, the Teacher, myself, and many others. The Teacher is opposite asceticism and makes clear in chapter nine that it is not the gifts themselves, but disordered affections toward and use of God’s gifts that we should be wary. We can’t be scared of the gifts, and we dare not shun that which the Lord has graciously provided. Borgman states “The message of the Bible is that enjoying God’s good gifts glorifies god. Enjoying, not worshipping, the things of earth, helps us to worship God” (140). It would almost seem we are going around in circles, alas we are – the Teacher is reinforcing the heart of the book.

“This section of Ecclesiastes is Ecclesiastes in a nutshell. It gives us a perspective on life, death, God, and Joy. Qoheleth leads us through this part of the journey and shows us something worth living for, namely, how to put death to shame by really living before you die.” – Borgman (140)

The first few verses highlight once again the Sovereignty of God over all things. “Both are before him” (Ecc. 9:1), all of the positive and negative moments of life lay before us as Christians, just as though we were without Christ. For those without Christ the difficult moments are just that, difficult moments. Outside of Christ these difficult moments don’t seem to have a reason or purposes. For those who are effectually called to Christ, drawn in by God (John 6:44) later in life, they can see by the grace of God how those hardships broke them down and showed the futile purposelessness of sinful living. Paul and Peter both are excellent examples of such situations, God had plans for Paul- who at the time was persecuting the followers of Christ, and Peter, who denied Christ three times. Both of these individuals are shaped by all the experiences God ordained for them to go through. They are shaped by God for the good in their hearts, for His purpose and to His glory.

God has a purpose for all He ordains to happen, and “all things work for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28). This means even though we may face the same hardships as those outside of Christ, murder, robbery, tornadoes, adultery, deception, hurricanes, and on, these hardships mean something in light of His plan. The disasters and hardships mean nothing without Christ and the work of His sanctifying spirit within us. Outside of Christ is darkness and meaninglessness. We must also face the idea that being in Christ does not guarantee physical blessings in this world, it is much the opposite. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise and take your money. In Christ we will be blessed in this world maybe, but in the world to come for sure, blessed beyond measure for all eternity. Suggested reading along these lines, The Crook in the Lot by Thomas Boston and All Things for Good by Thomas Watson.

“But just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually [g]appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 NASB95

In verse five the Teacher writes, even for the righteous, their memory will be forgotten. This is profound to me, with the exception of historians, teachers, and some individuals, history is largely forgotten. Even to these individuals, they cannot know all, only what is pertinent to their particular specialty. We lose track of major history, what about something closer in importance- family? Most folks cannot remember much about great grandparents, depending on the situation you may have never met. I have a few clear memories of my Mother’s maternal grandmother, visiting her house, climbing in her tree, she lived quite a long, meaningful life. Even if I write those memories down, they will probably not make it another generation or two before being lost, the feelings from those memories can’t be passed and will fade from my mind most assuredly. I suppose that is sad, but Ecclesiastes is clear, God limits our vision of what is ahead on purpose. He desires for us to live in this moment, not for glory after we are gone. He desires that our only desire be His glory, founded on what He has done, trusting in what He will do.

I would even point out that missionaries can have a major impact, start and foster churches by God’s glory and grace, but one hundred years later, all people remember of you is your name on a plaque outside the building or on a document from the founding that is framed in the fellowship hall. We make our impact by the Spirit in our moment, part of that impact is on our children, in most cases God ordains our children to make the impact on their children or the next generation in some way. This chain of faith in God from generation to generation is seen in communities of faith as well. Make good use of the time we do have both in action and rest, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going” (Ecc. 9:10). This is not encouragement to live in urgent anxiety striving to accomplish anything to feel fulfilled, rather it is a call to patiently endure, enjoying all your gifts to God’s glory and accomplishing what he has set forth for you by the strength that He supplies on His time. Wholly rely on the Lord, you will recognize by the Spirit that the memory of Christ through the testimony of the Scripture and preaching thereof is the only memory that must be passed down to our offspring that will never meet us. I will be forgotten, and I care not, I only care that when I am gone Christ is preached to the world as He was to me and my forefathers in our times (Isaiah 40:8). Maranatha.

A last word on this section, we will all die, we should measure and contain all of our reactions and passions with that in mind. Extreme love or heartbreak, living life fueled by envy and jealousy, or all the trophies the world can offer will disappear. As crazy at It may sound if the Lord wills for earth to go on for another three or four hundred years those humans may not even know sports like basketball, football, or pickleball, much less great champions like Kobe Bryant or Ben Johns. I can’t list one gladiator or chariot racer off the top of my head. This is not to say we shouldn’t strive to achieve or remember those who have achieved, or that acting and athletics/entertainment is not a true vocation- it’s all in the application. Rightly ordered, Glory to God and glorying in God living. I want to take this opportunity to mention the Bible Caddie Podcast, PGA golfers Webb Simpson and Ben Crane and their buddy William Kane. Exceptional banter about golf for the first part of the podcast and then down to business studying the word. They just finished studying James. Men enjoying time together glorifying God in their common passion for golf and then hammering home practical theology. Enjoying the moment but realizing what truly will live on- interpretation and application of scripture. Folks will keep going back to the Bible Caddie Podcast ten years from now for insight on scripture, not to see who Ben picked to win the PGA tournament that week. Lol.

But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.  For the living know that they will die;
But the dead know nothing,
And they have no more reward,
For the memory of them is forgotten.
Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished;
Nevermore will they have a share
In anything done under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 NASB95

Let’s take a look at verses seven and eight, “Eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; For God has already accepted your works. Let your garments always be white, and let your head lack no oil” (Ecc. 9:7-8). Actually, practice joyfulness! Joy, what does that look like? I have struggled with this for months, and I am still not sure how this looks. In some of my previous posts I have stated that joy looks different on different people, to a certain extent this is true. Content joy to me is not necessarily exuberant, not wild and vivacious. It is calm and quiet, reflective and almost solemn. I approach the question- are we holding the gifts too tightly if we are outrageous in our reaction toward them? Perhaps not, but these are the questions I battle with as a natural introvert. Against my natural man my demeanor should include smiles and general happiness. We should enjoy our work, that may be quiet enjoyment but nevertheless it does not carry a harsh word when asked “how did work go?” The answer should be heartily “It was difficult, but I enjoyed it.” Whoa! I am the foremost of sinners in this regard, pray for me readers.

I/ We should practice conveying joy to others, not hiding it. We are quick to ask for prayer, or show sorrow, it almost comes naturally to humans, but showing joy, letting our guard down and showing others our happiness in Christ takes being intentional and purposeful practice. We should by the grace of God be clothed in Christ, be confident in Christ, humble in Christ, and joyful in Christ, made possible by the sanctifying indwelling Spirit of God working in grace. Show others what Christ has done for you, don’t be Elsa who sang “conceal don’t feel,” feel and reveal! Lol, it really does matter, the joy found in Christ, in accepting God’s sovereignty and our state as a creature, should be something that we desire for others (Rom 9:3). Our joy in Christ will be a joy to others in our family, church, and work- we want to genuinely, for rightly ordered reasons be someone who others want to be around, because of the reflected light of Christ’s glory in our words and actions from a regenerate heart. Borgman uses this section to reflect on a woman who drove others away in life (147), “Don’t live in a way that when you die, people are relieved. Live in such a way that you are missed when you are gone” (148).

From my previous post- this sounds so much like The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, which is appropriate reading year around.

“Go, eat your bread with joy, And drink your wine with a merry heart;
For God has already accepted your works. Let your garments always be white,
And let your head lack no oil. Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 NASB95

We will end this post with reflection over verse nine and ten, enjoy your spouse and live life wholeheartedly. Verse nine speaks loudly, we are to enjoy the bride or husband the Lord has given us. I realize many have had terrible things befall them in a harmful marriage or have been betrayed in adultery or other secrets or divisive habits. So many different possibilities we cannot in one post address them all. Making our way through life is messy, even when we are not intentionally sinning or making a mess of it. We can only handle what is in front of us today, you may be in a mess today that took years to get into, forming new habits as a family that point toward Christ also takes time. Not that God does not reorder our wills in a moment, but that he works toward that moment on His time according to His good pleasure.

So many books that handle or attempt to address marriage, it is a work in progress. Disclaimers aside my encouragement is to begin enjoying and Glorifying God by enjoying your spouse first. Especially if you are the man, if you are living together uncommitted before God (that is outside of marriage) take that step first. Spouses cannot truly commit, or truly enjoy one another without becoming united before God, as he has ordained. Again, the path out of sin is rarely an easy one, prayer for those unmarried, especially with children for soft hearts and sensitivity to God’s clear will on the matter. Marriage is not something that your county or country came up with- it was created by God and is as sacred and Holy as the church. Not that you have to be perfect together before you get married, in the same way you do not have to be perfect to come to Christ. I could follow that out all the way and caution to be careful who you marry and where you worship, pray for God’s will to be done in both these decisions. Seek good pastoral/ biblical counseling! And yet don’t wait your whole life to commit to someone before God out of uncertainty. Enjoy your wife! I know I do, a good woman is described in Proverbs 31, but my wife is better. Lol, our wives are ordained by God to sanctify, encourage, show the truth, love, and support with strength that He supplies through His spirit.

Wives and husbands may not always get along, we are human, but focus on the positive, especially when a family is trying to be active in public and family worship. A praying spouse, one that is in the scripture will still make mistakes- but appreciate God working on his/her life, just like we talked about perfectionism is Christians impatient with God’s work, same here- pray for your spouse and their sanctification by the Spirit. What maturity is lacking will only be given by the Spirit working on the heart on God’s time. Remember your own sins, if a husband/wife has repented and is striving to turn, be there- verbal, physical, and spiritual support is needed! Enjoy God by enjoying your spouse, grow together in Christ! Show grace, change the mentality, work is not a meaningless burden, family is not a meaningless burden, nothing is meaningless- God is working all things for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Interactions with your spouse are meant to glorify God through your cooperative work in each other and your kids by the power the Spirit supplies.

Last thought- live life wholeheartedly! Borgman voices the Teacher’s “command to have a positive, robust, heaty, approach to life and work…Be an earnest, diligent person, who pours yourself into whatever is before you, whether that is your work, your marriage, your worship or your play” (150). The halfhearted life is depressing, wearisome, and unfulfilling. God has not called us to live in Christ without action, He gives us the opportunity, means, and ability to accomplish that which he has ordained to happen. And he has given us the grace to enjoy completion of work and the satisfaction from a hard day’s work. Again not anxious, fearful rushing through life attempting to accomplish as much as possible, or to do something that will be remembered, or trying to be as rich as possible. It is enjoying one’s work, because it is breath that God has given, and all success honor and glory is to Him and for Him. We cannot control our situation; we are creatures in creation. Therefore do not be anxious or fearful, instead patiently endure in Christ. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. (Col. 3:23).

Enjoy your life in this world as a gift from God, show it through your demeanor, how you talk and how you look! Borgman states “God’s gifts to us in this life are a precursor to a new heaven and a new earth, where we will enjoy all of God’s gifts and blessings without the specter of death peering over our shoulders and without the pain the hebel brings” (151). Don’t shun the gifts of God believing you are glorying by abstaining, instead prudently enjoy the gifts of God in a rightly ordered manner. Once in Christ, find balance, yet live wholeheartedly in full joy, appreciation, and effort for he has already approved our works for Him, and He will by faith welcome us in to glory forever in His presence, accepting Christ’s blood and perfect life in the place of our unworthiness. Glory to God forever! Amen.

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:12-17 NASB 95