Purpose
Most of humanity has three major questions in life. Where did I come from? Where am I going? Why am I here? The third may only be sufficiently answered after we have answered the first two. Once we solve the question of origins and hope we will be able to better identify our purpose— serving our Creator and Judge as Lord.
Sadly, many are growing up today without a sense of purpose. Ask an unbeliever today, “What is your purpose in life?” and watch how most will fumble around searching for an intelligent answer. They do not know. Some will admit it, others will avoid the question completely or give a philosophically selfish, “survival of the fittest” type of answer.
So, what is your purpose? Is it just to make as much money as you can before you die so you can leave it to others when you die? Is your purpose in life to just work as hard as possible so you can, maybe, enjoy a short vacation or short-lived retirement before life is over? Is your purpose here to just do whatever makes you happy?
To properly understand the purpose of something we must consult the one who created it. Why did Edison invent the light bulb? What did he expect its function to be? Why did Bell invent the telephone? What purpose did he have for it? Why did Al Gore invent the Internet (just kidding)? Seriously though, why did God, our Creator, put us here on earth? Did he do so with no real expectations, purpose or guide for our lives? Were we put here to just figure it out for ourselves? If so, what a cruel God!
If you read the Bible, you can ascertain a better idea about God’s purpose for you in this life. Colossians 1:16 says, “For by Him all things (that’s you) were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things (that’s you) were created through Him and for Him.”
According to this passage, you were created to serve God in this life. At some point in time, we have all rejected this special purpose and sinned (Romans 3:23). Yet, Jesus redeemed us with His blood so that we might once again fulfill God’s purpose for us in serving Him. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “...do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Without the Bible, figuring out your purpose in life is mere guesswork. With God’s Word, our identity and purpose become more clear.
“Ask an
unbeliever
today, “What is
your purpose in
life?” and watch
how most will
fumble around
searching for an
intelligent answer.“
September 2008