Purpose & Meaning of Life
” I am very humbled to be used to share GOD’s love with so many, but thankful to be part of GOD’s redeeming plan for all men. Not only am I humbled and thankful to represent GOD’s truth and love, but I am encouraged that HE is building my courage and boldness in sharing about HIM with others.”
So I thought for my second blog that I would write for this month, I would share more in detail with you about what I have been sharing with so many Africans here in Mzuzu and with many others throughout my trip. And that is…
thePurpose&Meaningof each one of our lives.
This is a question that many people have pondered and asked in life, which I am going to try my best to clearly share the answer with you by using scripture…GOD’s Holy Word.
In the gospel of John, JESUS Himself promises… “I have came that they ( you & I ) may have life and have it abundantly.”Well, we must ask ourselves, “What is the abundant life that HE is offering?” But before we can answer this question…we must believe that GOD exists and that HE is the Creator of all things, including us. In the first book of the Bible in Genesis 1:1 it says, “In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth.” And in Genesis 1:27 it says, “GOD created man in HIS own image, in the image of GOD HE created him; male and female HE created them.” Also in book of Colossians 1:16-17 it says, “For by HIM (GOD) all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things were created BY HIM and FOR HIM. HE is before all things, and in HIM all things hold together.”
So, now that we know that GOD is our creator and that HE is the one that created us…let’s go back to our original question: “What is the PURPOSE and MEANING of our lives?”(Or what is this “Abundant Life that JESUS’ offers?”)
Let me break this down for you into two different questions to bring some clarity and simplicity.
First, let’s answer the question, “What is our PURPOSE of our life?”
And to answer this question, let’s look at what GOD says in HIS Word. In the gospel of John in 17:3, GOD says… “Now this is (eternal) life: that they ( you & I ) may “know” you, the only true GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, whom you have sent.” And in 1 John, it says… “We know also that the Son of GOD has come and has given us ( you & I ) understanding, so that we are in HIM who is true-even in HIS Son JESUS CHRIST. HE is the true GOD and eternal life.” So… “What is the PURPOSE of our life?”…the answer = TO KNOW GOD PERSONALLY so that we can have a right, living and loving relationship with HIM as our creator.
Secondly, let’s answer the question, “What is the MEANING of our life?”
And to answer this question, let’s look once again at what GOD says in HIS Word. In the book of Psalm 53:2, GOD says… “HE looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who “understand” and any who “seek” HIM.” And in the book of Genesis 1:15-17 we read that GOD is talking and in a relationship with Adam, HIS first created living being. Also, in the book of Genesis 1:18, 21-25, we read that GOD created Eve, thus giving Adam a helper and wife, and they are in/have a personal relationship with each other and with GOD.
Some other examples of GOD in personal relationships are with Noah (Genesis 6-9) Abraham (Genesis 22), Moses (Exodus 2), King David– “man after GOD’s own heart” (Psalm), JESUS and 12 disciples (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and many other people in the Bible. So, we see that through these living examples that…
GOD is a GOD who desires and longs to have a personal relationship with each one of us as HIS most cherished and loved creation!
But there is one problem…because of Adam and Eve’s first sin (Romans 5:12a) and disobedience against GOD in the garden of Eden (Genesis 2 and 3), all of us are born into sin from birth (Romans 5:12b), thus bringing separation between us and GOD (Isaiah 58:2). For in the book of Romans 3:23 & 6:23, GOD says… “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD” and “For the wages of sin is death(both physically & spiritually), but the free gift of GOD is eternal life (both here on earth now, but in heaven with HIM too) in CHRIST JESUS our LORD.”
But the solution to our problem of sin, which causes us to be separated from GOD is…
J.E.S.U.S. C.H.R.I. S.T.
“For GOD so loved the
world (put your name here)
that HE gave HIS one and only Son,
that whoever believes in HIM
shall not perish but have eternal life.
For GOD did not send HIS Son into the world
to condemn the world,
but to save the world through HIM.”
John 3:16
And according to the book of Romans 10:9-10; 13, “That if you confess with your mouth, and believe in your that GOD raised HIM from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”
Also, according to the book of Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace (GOD’s unmerited favor) you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of GOD, not by works, so that no one can boast.”
You see JESUS was perfect without sin… “HE (GOD) made him (JESUS) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of GOD in him (JESUS)”, (2 Corinthians 5:21). Because GOD is a Holy and righteous GOD, which sin cannot exist because that is the opposite of who GOD is and HIS nature and being.
And because GOD is a GOD of love, HE through the sacrifice of HIS Son JESUS CHRIST (who died on the cross for all of our sins), provided a way to restore us (all of mankind) back in a right, living and personal relationship with HIM.
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down HIS life for HIS friends.”
(John 15:13)
So… “What is the MEANING of our life?”…the answer = TO HAVE A PERSONAL & LOVING RELATIONSHIP with GOD our creator.
In closing…
GOD’s PURPOSE in our life is to “KNOW HIM” personally and by knowing HIM personally…GOD gives us MEANING because we have “PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with HIM.”
My questions to you are…Do you have purpose and meaning in your life? Have you only heard “ABOUT” JESUS? More importantly, do you “KNOW” JESUS as your Savior and Lord?
If not, what are you waiting for?
“GOD our Savior
wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
(1Timothy 2:4)
Glory be to our living and loving GOD who desires to have a personal and rich relationship with each and every one of us!
If you want to know GOD personally and never asked HIS son JESUS CHRIST into your heart and life, I would invite you to do so. The following is a simple prayer if you desire to:
Dear GOD…I know that you created me to have a personal relationship with you and I want to know you personally. I know that I am a sinner, but I believe you sent your only son JESUS to die for me to forgive me of my sins. I believe HE died on the cross, was buried and rose three days later and is now up in heaven preparing a place for me to be with You. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me new purpose in my life. JESUS, I ask you to be my Lord and Savior so I can live for you because you died for me. Thank you JESUS…amen!
Congratulations if you asked JESUS into your heart and life! If you need any help in growing in your new found relationship with GOD, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I would consider it a joy to help you!
In GOD’s Love,
Derek
Leaving on Wednesday, December 1st for SQUAD debrief for a couple of days. And then on to our next country, which is here in Malawi again, for our month of ministry. Another reminder, next month or so (December & January), internet access may be very limited due to the locations we may be in and the poor quality of internet connections. Please continue to write comments, etc. but know that I will respond back when I have available internet access.
