The Whole Duty Of Man: Following Jesus When Everything Else Fades Series

The Whole Duty of Man: Following Jesus When Everything Else Fades

Introduction — The Question Every Life Must Answer

We live in a world of endless noise.

Notifications never stop. Opinions multiply. Success is measured by followers, finances, and fame. Yet beneath all the noise lies a quiet, unsettling question:

What actually matters when life is over?

The writer of Ecclesiastes — traditionally understood as Solomon, a king who possessed unmatched wisdom, wealth, and influence — examined life from every angle: pleasure, work, knowledge, achievement. And after testing it all, he reaches a startling conclusion.

Let us hear the Word of the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NLT): “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.”

This verse is not merely advice; it is the final verdict of a life fully examined. And today we will see that this ancient conclusion finds its fullest meaning in Jesus Christ, the One who calls us to true discipleship.

I. The Context: Wisdom at the End of the Journey

Ecclesiastes is wisdom literature written from the perspective of one who has walked every road the world offers. The repeated phrase throughout the book is “meaningless” — Hebrew hebel, meaning vapour, mist, or breath — something temporary and elusive.

Solomon’s point is not that life has no meaning, but that life without God slips through our fingers like mist.

Ecclesiastes 12 comes at the end of the book. The writer has explored:

Pleasure without God

Work without God

Knowledge without God

Wealth without God

And now, like a preacher giving his final altar call, he says:

“Here now is my final conclusion.”

This is the distilled wisdom of a lifetime.

II. Key Command #1 — “Fear God”

The Hebrew word for fear is yare’, meaning reverence, awe, worshipful surrender — not terror but recognition of God’s holiness and authority.

To fear God is to live with the awareness:

God is Creator.

God is Judge.

God is Holy.

We are accountable to Him.

The fear of God is the beginning of true discipleship because it dethrones the self.

Proverbs 9:10 (NLT): “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.”

Proverbs, also associated with Solomon, teaches covenant wisdom — living rightly under God’s rule.

“Foundation” reflects the Hebrew idea of a starting point or first principle.

Modern culture says, “Follow your heart.” Scripture says, “Revere your Creator.” Discipleship begins when God’s voice becomes greater than our feelings.

Imagine a sailor at sea. The crowd on the ship argues about direction, but the compass quietly points north. Wisdom is not following the loudest voice — it is trusting the fixed reference point.

The fear of God is the compass of the soul.

John Piper: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”

When we fear God rightly, we discover that reverence does not shrink joy — it deepens it. The world promises satisfaction without surrender, but true joy flows from worship.

III. Key Command #2 — “Obey His Commands”

The Hebrew word for “obey” carries the idea of guarding, keeping, or treasuring. Obedience is not cold rule-keeping; it is relational loyalty.

In discipleship, obedience is evidence of love.

John 14:15 (NLT): “If you love me, obey my commandments.”

Jesus speaks these words in the Upper Room before His crucifixion, preparing disciples for life after His departure.

Greek “Obey” — tereo, meaning to keep watch over, guard carefully.

Obedience is not legalism; it is love expressed through action. In the 21st century, faith is often reduced to feelings or identity labels — but Jesus calls for transformed living.

A young pianist complains about scales, wanting only to play beautiful music. The teacher insists on discipline. Years later, the student realises: the rules were not restrictions — they were the pathway to freedom.

God’s commands are not chains; they are training for flourishing.

Tim Keller: “Religion says, ‘I obey, therefore I am accepted.’ The Gospel says, ‘I am accepted, therefore I obey.’”

This is the heartbeat of discipleship. We do not obey to earn God’s love — we obey because Jesus has already loved us at the cross.

IV. The Universal Call — “This Is Everyone’s Duty”

Ecclesiastes reminds us that this command applies to everyone — kings, labourers, students, retirees, the successful and the struggling.

Romans 14:12 (NLT): “Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.”

Historical/Theological Context:

Paul writes to believers in Rome, reminding them that ultimate accountability belongs to God alone.

Greek Word Study:

“Account” — logos, meaning a word, explanation, or reckoning.

Modern culture avoids accountability, but Scripture insists that our lives move toward a divine appointment.

Charles Stanley: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”