Week 25: June 24th, 2018

Topic: Vanity of vanity– Part 1

Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:1-14

Vanity is anything that is worthless or useless. It can also be described as futility. Vanity is something that is meaningless or pointless, but mankind is pursuing vanities of this world as if “it is going out of fashion.” Today people everywhere in the world are practicing vanities in numerous and extreme ways instead of zealously doing the work of God.

Introduction

Hear this, all peoples; Listen carefully all inhabitants of the world, pay attention both low and high, rich and poor alike Psalm 49:1-2. “Vanity of vanities,” says the preacher; “vanity of vanities, all is vanity” Ecclesiastes 1:2. Whatever that is done without God’s guidance is a wisp of smoke. It is like a vapour that vanishes and it is like chasing the wind. Therefore, it is time to seek God so that your works will be fruitful and profitable, and you will be also rewarded in heaven.

Many people in the world prefer emptiness and vainglory instead of seeking the Lord God their Creator because Satan has blindfolded them spiritually. They have forgotten that “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” Psalm 24:1. Though, Satan is the ruler of this world and the whole world is under the sway of the wicked one 1 John 5:19. But if you resist the influence and the control that the devil has over the inhabitants of the world, then he will depart from you according to the Bible passage which stated that “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you James 4:7. Henceforth, stop running after the vanities of this world and submit totally to God.

Most people in the world are pursing vanities thereby having no time to pay attention to the commandments of the Lord or focus on the heavenly things that are beneficial to them. Are you among those who are displeasing God by chasing the emptiness of this world? Are you so embroil in pursuing the futility of this world to the detriment of your gaining/inheriting the kingdom of God? Make amends today because you cannot serve two masters. says the scripture, you cannot serve God and vanities/mammon Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13. We pray that today will be the turning point when you will terminate all the burning desires to chase meaningless things.

Though the vanities of this world may be lawful in your community, they may not be against the law of your country of residence, and they may be permitted in your society, but they may not be profitable or beneficial to your existence. The fact that the vanities are legitimate in your community does not mean that they are acceptable to the Lord or they can edify your Christianity faith 1 Corinthians 10:23. Therefore, do away with lawful vanities that cannot help your spiritual life and growth. Do not forget that if the vanities are lawful and permissible in your area, you must neither be enslaved by them nor allow them to control your life. You must not give the lawful vanity the opportunity to bring you under its power or be addicted to it, else, you will miss the kingdom of God 1 Corinthians 6:12. Therefore, make sure you are not influence or control by the vanities of this world that are not acceptable in the presence of God.

The people who count the glitterings of this world as precious things and hold the pleasures together with the lustful things as dear to their hearts must realize that all the activities and everything that is going on under the Sun are vanity, except working or winning souls for the Lord. They are meaningless before God, and they are like chasing the wind, says the scripture Ecclesiastes 1:14. Therefore, do not love the world of sin that opposes God and His precepts or cherish the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasures, a craving for everything we see and pride in our achievements and possessions. All that is in the world are: the lust of the flesh and craving for sensual gratification. The lust of the eyes and greedy longings of the mind. The pride of life, assurance in one’s resources and confidence in the stability of our earthly possessions, these do not come from Father but are from the world 1 John 2:15-16. So, as sojourners and pilgrims in this world, abstain from the sensual urges, the passions of the flesh, the evil and dishonourable desires that wage war against the soul 1 Peter 2:11. Do not forget that the world is passing away with its lusts and the shameful pursuits (vanities). Whether we like or not this world will pass away along with its forbidden cravings and ungodly longings, but anyone who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his/her life will abide forever 1 John 2:17. If you want to live eternally, forsake the vanities of this world and start doing what pleases God.

The Glorious Garment

In the beginning God created Adam and Eve, the scripture says “And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” Genesis 2:25. They were not ashamed because they were clothed with invisible glorious garments, whenever they look at themselves they will see the garments on their bodies until when they disobeyed the Lord which prompted the glorious garments to vanish from their bodies. “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings” Genesis 3:7. Countless people in the world today are naked spiritually and they have lost their invisible spiritual garments. These people still think that they are on the righteous path whereas they are on the spiritual path of destruction. Satan has blindfolded them, so their eyes were not opened to see that they are spiritually naked due to:

· Disobedience Colossians 3:6.

· Worshipping and serving the creatures rather than the Creator Romans 1:25.

· Rebellion and stubbornness 1 Samuel 15:23.

It is when the above-mentioned people are obedient and they are content with what God has done for them, that their spiritual garments will be restored. It is then that such people will neither have the urge to “get rich quickly” or “dance to the tunes” of the devil. They will pursue less of the vanities of this world because the vanities will be meaningless to them, but the work of God will be paramount in their hearts.

It is for this reason that Jesus Christ said “Behold I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame” Revelation 16:15. If you don’t want to be caught off guard, be awake, be alert and be watchful for the Lord’s return. If you don’t want your nakedness to be exposed, but you want to reign with Christ, stop pursuing vanities and do what pleases the Lord.

You cannot take anything out of this world

Mankind came into this world physically naked, which means that at the end of our lives/journeys, we will depart this world as naked and empty-handed just like the day we were born. We cannot take our riches with us. As it is written “As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came: and he shall take nothing from his labour which he may carry away in his hand.” Ecclesiastes 5:15. Job also attested to this fact by saying “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” Job 1:21. Since we came into this world naked, why not cease pursuing vanities, and seek God since it is confirmed that you cannot take anything out of this world?

The Bible stated that “godliness and contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out” 1 Timothy 6:7-8. Since you know that you cannot take the vanities out of this world, why not stop all the vanity activities? Why not take everything easy and calmly? Why not repent and reconcile with your Creator today before it is too late? Therefore, you must neither misuse the things of this world nor become attached to them because this world will soon pass away 1 Corinthians 7:31. Henceforth, do not overuse the pleasures of this life and you must not be engrossed with worldly affairs, but find time for the Lord’s work. Never be preoccupy with worldly things and fail to remember your creator, but live as if you are not using the things of this world.