What is the meaning of life? Before accepting Christ at age 32, I had
never given this question a second thought; my time was fully given to simply
living my life. However, since that life
changing event I have considered it many times.
It seems when eternity gained my attention as significant, this life too
gained more meaning.
Using “Bible” as an acronym for the
cutesy phrase “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”
is an accurate description of the Word of God.
It is full of the best information that exists about this life. It truly is like having an owner’s manual
written by the manufacturer. We gain understanding from a manual how to care
for, protect, repair, and even enjoy a product, but not necessarily why we have
it in the first place. God’s Word is multifaceted; He certainly instructs HOW
to live this life and while there is not a verse “X” of book “Y” that says the
meaning of life is: “A-B-C”, we have no
better resource than the Bible from which to gain insight as to WHY we are here
as well.
We have been intentionally created
in the image of God. Similar to a man
and a woman being designed to accommodate their “coming together” as one,
mankind has been uniquely designed to join spiritually with our Creator. It is clear from Scripture that God loves us
(Jn 3:16 for one example of many). It is just as clear that He is interested in
an intimate relationship with us; we are invited to become sons of God (Jn 1:12), a bride to Christ (Rev
19:7-9), co-heirs with Jesus (Ro 8:17), a
temple for The Holy Spirit (1Co 6:19). These invitations require more than a casual
response. This cannot be accomplished
without an authentic choice to love. It
is impossible to truly choose to love unless you have a real option to choose
not to. This life, with all of its distractions and temptations, provides the
opportunity to choose between acceptance of His invitation and rejection of the
truth He offers.
The most important, most significant
purpose this life holds is Accepting God’s relationship invitation. Without this
purpose realized everything we could hope to accomplish is fleeting at best;
making a possible mark on human history, but leaving eternity untouched. While salvation through Jesus is the doorway
to eternity it is not the ONLY reason we are here. Too many people dismiss Godly instruction on
how to live life, based on the fact that salvation is by faith alone, not by
works; concluding that works are somehow insignificant. Ironically, the verse they are recalling is
immediately followed by: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to
do good works” Eph 2:10. They tend to overlook that not everything
in the New Testament has to do with salvation.
Everyone who is “born-again” as
Jesus put it (Jn 3:3); will be welcomed into
their eternal home in heaven after this life.
But just as the phrase itself implies, being “born”-again is a
beginning, not a completion. Three
different writers of the New Testament compare new Christians to babies needing
milk, not yet able to handle meat: “Brothers, I could
not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were
not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.” 1Co 3:1&2 (see
also Heb 5:12&13 &1Pe 2:1&2); these
texts strongly imply there is an expectation of a maturing process; we are not
to stay spiritual newborns. In Philippians 2 we
are counseled to “work out your salvation”. From the context it is clear there is much
work to be done here on Earth by those of us who have already received salvation
through faith in Jesus, not by works. In
four different books we are encouraged to live this life for Christ as if we
are running a race. Paul says to, “Run in such a
way as to get the prize” 1Co 9:24. Also, in four different places Paul writes of approaching this life as a fight, “fight the good fight” he says. Even Jesus gave us the great commission to, “go and make disciples of all nations” Mt 28:19&20,
but many people question: “WHY? I’ve got
mine. The Bible gives me assurances that
I am saved by belief alone in Jesus.” Why
do the New Testament and Paul in
particular, take such an aggressive approach to life in Christ? The short answer is: Our works will be
judged.
In this day and age of political correctness,
universal acceptance, and “live and let live” mentality (which are total
hogwash by the way) there are few words hated more than judgment. But did you know that there is a judgment
reserved only for Christians? That’s
right: “If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly
stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the
Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will
test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will
receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be
saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” 1Co 3:12-15. Notice
it is the SAVED ones’ WORK that will be judged.
There are rewards as well as losses to be had when works are
judged. Paul ,
James, and Peter write of eternal crowns being earned. These may be literal crowns, or they could be
representative of the rewards from the judgment of works. Do our works really matter? If not, why will they be judged?
Apart from the fact that Jesus
instructs us to, and that a true loving relationship will include self-sacrifice
and obedience to our Lord, not everyone who finds eternal life will be
eternally equal. There is nothing in
Scripture to indicate heaven is a great big room where everyone who accepted
Jesus will have a chair and a harp of their own on which to pluck; quite the
contrary.
All in heaven will not have the same
authority or standing. We will not have
access to all the same areas, same privileges, or responsibilities. There are many places in the Bible that
indicate all is not equal in the kingdom of heaven. Based on how well we follow and teach
commands in this world, for example, some will be called “least” while others
will be called “great” (Mt 5:19). Humility is significant: “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Mt 18:4; positions are granted: “These places belong to those for whom they have been
prepared by my Father.” Mt 20:23b; privileges and duties earned: “…so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and
sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel
When we leave this world we will be
put into the exact position of trustworthiness, responsibility, and privilege
as we deserve. God knows us better than
we know ourselves: “He said to them, ‘You are the ones
who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is
highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.’” Lk16:15. He will not be
deceived by a sales pitch as our earthy bosses, companions, and even we
ourselves can be. Success in this world
looks very different to God than it does to us.
His ways are not our ways. Considering
all of this, we have an amazing
opportunity in this world to dramatically affect our eternal standing. This purpose gives meaning to this life.
Before you start claiming (as I
have), “If God would simply tell me clearly what He wants me to do, I would do
it”, consider this: God is very pleased with faith; in fact it is impossible to
please Him without it (Heb 11:6). It seems living obediently out of faith is
more highly respected in the Kingdom of God than being obedient once you have
seen God face to face, or heard His voice undeniably. Apart from Jesus, no one has interacted more
personally with God than Moses; and no one has been held to a higher
expectation of obedience. After four
decades of faithful service leading God’s people, Moses was denied the
privilege of entering the Promised Land because he struck a rock with his staff
to bring forth water as he had done previously, instead of simply speaking to
it as God had instructed on this particular occasion. Similarly, James gives caution to the church:
“Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my
brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” Jas
3:1. With greater privilege comes much greater expectation. As always,
be careful what you ask for, presume, or demand; you just might get it.
Jesus is our perfect example of how
to live this life with the greatest possible meaning and purpose for
eternity. His life does not paint a
picture of the comforts, acceptance, or ease this world has to offer. He lived as the ultimate self-sacrificing
servant with eternity always in perfect focus, at times ignoring the rules,
protocols, and even natural laws of the world around Him. He was nobody’s pansy, patsy, or politically
correct puppet, but He was always lovingly interested in other’s needs. Obedience and submission to our Father in
heaven ruled His life, even unto death.
He was perfectly balanced and uncompromising in truth. There were times to teach, heal, feed,
rebuke, laugh, cry, and even die, as well as times to NOT do each of these.
The priorities we set, integrity we
keep, love and forgiveness we extend will impact our eternity. How we live, is the meaning of life.
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