A time to destroy and a time to build
A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:3-4).
In verse 3 killing and demolition are contrasted with healing and construction. There are times when in order to build up we have to destroy. This concept is not foreign to the New Testament. In Colossians 3:5 Paul writes, “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” He identifies those things which emerge from our own hearts to endanger our spiritual welfare and destroy our testimony. There is only one way to deal with them and that is to put them to death. We can’t alter the flesh in us. God doesn’t change our old lives: He gives us new life. That’s why Paul then writes, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:12-14).
It is so vital to have the spiritual resolve to destroy the evil influences which confront us and always to encourage what is of God. Life is about choices. These choices either damage us or lead us into blessing. David looked at Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2-3). In that moment, instead of putting to death the lust that arose in his heart, he decided to do what he knew was wrong. This led to untold misery. We can be profoundly affected by the decisions we take in one moment of time. The prodigal son came to a critical moment in his life when he said to himself, “I will arise and go to my father.” That would be a difficult journey to make. But what did he do? He got up and went back to his father. He made a decision which led to healing and blessing (Luke15:18-20).
In verse 4 the subjects of joy and sorrow are addressed. These extremes are an integral part of our lives. As Christians, we are not exempt from times of failure, disappointment, sadness, pain and illness; times when we weep. Also, bereavement; times when we mourn. And there are the joyous times of salvation, love, fellowship, friendships, service, marriage, and parenthood. We enjoy the spiritual and material blessings of God in our own lives and share in those of others. These are times when joy fills our whole being. Joyful and sorrowful times are part of our lives what is important is how we learn from these experiences. Do we enjoy our times of blessings, selfishly? Do we allow difficulties to embitter us? Or do we share the joyous times God gives us and allow the times of suffering to shape us into compassionate, understanding and Christlike people?
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:9-15).
