The wise man of Ecclesiastes wrote, “Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes” (7:29).
The text clearly teaches that man appears on the earth inherently good. This contrasts with the world view of the Reformed Theologian who contends that man is born to a state of absolute depravity. The text also absolves God of blame when evil abounds. It is not God’s fault or doing when suffering comes as the consequence of sinful behavior. God made man upright!
Why then do men do evil? Because God has given man a will, and men choose to do evil! “They have sought out many schemes.” No one wishes for God to do away with free will. It is His greatest gift, and the reason Moses wrote that God made man “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27). However, when God gave man the freedom of choice, it was inevitable that some would choose to do evil things. Adam did, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).
Recently, I was given the following quote — a fitting end to this short missive. “You are free to choose, but you are not free from the consequences of your choice.” Wise words to consider the next time we are tempted to choose foolishly!
