Sunday, March 27, 2011

My Error... Again

Ecclesiastes 7:28 NKJV

"Which my soul still seeks but I cannot find: One man among a thousand I have found, But a woman among all these I have not found."

I recently used this verse in a non-Christlike manner. The tone was jocular, but part of the meaning, if I'm honest, stemmed from a root of bitterness and hurt. Especially considering the audience included a few women. So there's my confession of sin.

So what's the true meaning of this verse? Is the meaning men are terrible but women are worse? This meaning doesn't hold up to the teachings of scripture.

Consider the following verses in relation to the above:

Ecclesiastes 7:20 NKJV
"For there is not a just man on earth who does good
And does not sin."

Ecclesiastes 7:20, 29 NKJV
"For there is not a just man on earth who does good
And does not sin. Truly, this only I have found:
That God made man upright,
But they have sought out many schemes.”

Psalm 14:2-3 NKJV
"The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good,
No, not one."

This verse in Psalms is also repeated in the NT.

Here's what Jesus says:

Matthew 19:17 NKJV
So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

In any of these other verses is there any indication that women are worse or bigger sinners than men? Even Solomon states at the beginning of the misused verse that he's seeking and not finding. So the word teaches that all men are wicked, dead (not injured) in our transgressions. There is no distinction in the sexes, other than in roles and responsibilities. Men are able to glorify God in one way and women in another. Christ Himself teaches that in Heaven we will be spiritual beings, no distinction and no one given in marriage.

Matthew 22:29-30 NKJV
Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.

So I was mistaken and wrong in my use of the above verse. God has given me, by His grace in Jesus Christ, a spirit of encouragement and ability to understand and teach. However, when I ignore this I'm ignoring the gift given by God Himself to minister and strengthen His people, not to feed my flesh and lash out in pain. Is He sufficient for me or isn't He?

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