"Dust Returns to the Earth"

“And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7 ESV)

In chapter 12, the author of Ecclesiastes writes of human life coming to an end. We are created from dust (Genesis 2:7), and we will return to the dust from whence we come. Whilst we are still here, we should remember that fact.

We will all die, some earlier than others, but regardless of age, the life which was breathed into us and the spirit God gave us will return to God when its human vessel has ceased to exist. Science has determined that the minerals in the human body equate to common dust of the ground, the dirt. I think that is wonderful because it supports our creation model found in Genesis.

So, when we are born of the flesh, we are born of sin. We are children of Adam infused with the sickness of sin, and prisoners of sin. Many will argue against both parts of this, as it is not a pleasant thought, or they have not realized the depth of their depravity, which, when brought forward in our hearts, is crushing.

Christ made it clear that we cannot stop sin on our own. In His conversation with the Pharisees, Nicodemus, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:5-6) We are born in the flesh in sin, and we are then born again in the Spirit after having been made righteous, justified before God. It is the only way to heaven, through Jesus Christ.

We are prisoners of our sin, and no matter how much we struggle against it, try to control it, and work to eliminate it, we will fail. Paul wrote in Galatians, "But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." (3:22) 

In what is probably Christ’s greatest confrontation with the Pharisees, in John 8, Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (31-36). Until you come to faith in Christ, you are a prisoner to your sin. He holds the key to eternal life and to being made righteous before God.

When we die, our earthly body returns to dust. Your spirit will go to God, and in an eternal body, you will stand before the white throne of judgment. (Revelation 20:11-15) Where will you go? There are two destinations: heaven and the place where the worm never dies, the place of unending suffering and torment, hell. Sadly enough, you will know that the reason you are there is because you rejected the Son of God. Christ died so that those who come to faith in Him will receive everlasting life in heaven.

So where do you want to go when your body has returned to the dust? Seek Christ today, for tomorrow may be too late. Salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ alone.

Grace and Peace