What is the purpose of life? Or what is the Meaning of life? Both of these questions are intertwined. The Bible tells us, that the ox and a donkey know who their owner is (Isaiah 1:3)? Meaning, they have their purpose and meaning for life built-in.
In a nutshell our purpose relates to what needs to be done by us. And the meaning of this purpose relates more specifically to why we were created to carry out this purpose.
In the beginning, the scriptures tell us in Genesis that we were created by the Most High and his Son.
I’ll be using various scriptures to give a clear picture about why the Most High created us, and what our purpose is.
Why Man Was Created?
When we read the scriptures, we see the creation story. In the Book of Genesis we are told that man was created on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26).
The reason for creating man, was to create a being in the image and likeness of the Most High and his Son.
This image and likeness is not necessarily a reflection physically, although we do have similar physical attributes, when the Most High takes a human form.
This can be see when the Most High (Daniel 7:9) and his son (Revelation 1:13-15) are described in humans forms…
Daniel 7:9
9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
But the relation to “likeness” is our ability to do what is considered good in the eyes of the Most High.
This fact is constantly illustrated throughout the scriptures, one of the main evidences for this are the 10 Commandments.
The commandments are found in Exodus Chapter 20, and they give us a summary of what is intended of us as the Most High’s creation.
The most important takeaway point here is that the Most High created us to serve him, and not vice versa.
This point is reiterated in other scriptures, we are told that the Most High can raise up stones to worship him if he wanted to.
Matthew 3:9
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Scriptures also tell us, that the Most High does not need human hands to worship him. He is the source and it is him that gives life.
Acts 17:25
25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
This puts in perspective the reason for our creation. Which is, to serve the Most High.
Isaiah 45:9
9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
The Creation Of Man
To understand the purpose and meaning of life, it’s important to go back to the beginning and understand how we were created.
The scriptures tell us that we were created from the dust of the ground. The Most High fashion us and breathed his life into us.
Genesis 2:7
7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
This is very significant because here we are told that the source of our life is the Most High.
Knowing this makes it clear what our purpose is, which is to serve the Most High. It is his Spirit which allows us to live.
It’s important to note though, that the Most High did give us dominion over the animals, that he created.
The Purpose Of Life According To The Bible
The scriptures make it clear what the purpose of life is. An important scripture to read which summarises this is
Ecclesiastes 12:13
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Here we are told clearly, that the duty of man is to fear God and keep his commandments.
In the next verse…
Ecclesiastes 12:14
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
It tells us why we should keep the commandments. If you had no incentive in a past to follow the Most High’s commandments, the above verse should give you a better incentive and understanding.
We are told that the reason why we should keep the Commandments, is because the Most High will judge all of our deeds, even those things we do in private.
Our deeds will be judged on whether they are good or evil. For this reason it’s important to read the “Commandments” of God to understand what is good and evil.
What’s The Purpose Of Having A Baby
The scriptures show us, that the purpose of our lives also extends to our children.
This includes having a baby. Just as we are to keep the Commandments, we are commanded to teach our children the Commandments (Deuteronomy 11:19).
Deuteronomy 11:19
19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
The scripture tells us when you train a child the way it should go then it will not depart from that way (Proverbs 22:6).
To fulfil our purpose it’s the parent job to teach their children the commandments of the Most High.
This means that they keep the Commandments, so when it comes time to be judged they are on the right side of the Most High’s judgement.
There are also more damning scriptures that plainly say giving birth to a child that is not taught the Commandments, is like not having a child.
This may sound harsh, but if we look at creation, and why we are here we find, as explained our sole purpose is to worship the Most High by keeping his commandments and praying to him (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Is The Purpose Of Life To Be Happy
Up until now, it may feel like there’s no happiness in this whole thing…
And this is a fair concern. So let me lighten the mood. The scriptures do talk about the “Joy” that comes from keeping the Commandments.
Joy is something that is greater than happiness, because happiness is temporary. This doesn’t mean that keeping the Commandments of the Most High doesn’t involve happiness…
But it’s better to know that there’s a long-term prize at the end of your purpose.
This prize i.e. the Kingdom of heaven, will continually give you something to aspire to. Rather than a feeling that you would get from a single moment’s pleasure or happiness.
The scriptures explain this best, in Galatians.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Here we are given the characteristics, of the fruit of the spirit. This is the Spirit that we receive when we believe that the Messiah died and resurrected (John 14:26).
And these fruits are sustained in us when we keep the Commandments.
As you can see from above some of these characteristics are:
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.
So the purpose of life is not just to be happy, although you do receive Joy you will also need to exercise faith and long-suffering.
When we look around, we see war, family disputes, arguments and so on..
So it would be nonsensical to believe that life is just about happiness.
The scriptures deal with war and other life events, but overall keeping the Commandments and worshipping the Most High will also give you your best and true purpose.
What Is God’s Purpose For Man?
Although, the answer for God’s purpose for man could be simply answered by saying he requires us to worship him.
There are also scriptures that are more specific, about what he wants from us.
I shall be presenting you with them here, so that you can have a more in depth understanding.
They’ll also allow you to understand why we should keep the Commandments.
A great place to find gods purpose for man is in a book of 2 Esdras.
This can be found in the apocrypha which was a part of the King James 1611 Bible.
In a discussion between Esdras and the Most High,
2 Esdras 7:58-61
Esdras prays for the righteous i.e. those keeping the Commandments. He asks the Most High to have mercy on those keeping the commandments and not those who are not.
The Most High agrees, and even confirms to Esdras that his concern is solely for those that keep his Commandments, and not wilful sinners.
The Most High also says that he will rejoice over the few that are saved.
2 Esdras 8:37-40
37 Then answered he me, and said, Some things hast thou spoken aright, and according unto thy words it shall be.
38 For indeed I will not think on the disposition of them which have sinned before death, before judgment, before destruction:
39 But I will rejoice over the disposition of the righteous, and I will remember also their pilgrimage, and the salvation, and the reward, that they shall have.
40 Like as I have spoken now, so shall it come to pass.
This lets us know, that not everybody will understand the meaning of life and keep the Commandments. This keep the commandments and the Most High’s purpose may be a lonely road.
It’s also important to understand that the Most High does not want anybody to perish (2 Peter 3:9).
This is the reason why the end of the world has not come yet.
The Most High is waiting for his word to be spread to the four corners of the Earth (Matthew 24:14) . This will provide everybody with a chance to repent (turn from their sinful ways).
Matthew 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
A Reward For Fulfilling God’s Purpose For Your Life
Contrary to popular belief, fulfilling gods purpose for your life all revolves around keeping the Most High’s Commandments.
Whether you are called to be a Prophet, Apostles, Teacher or to give a message to serve the cause of the Most High. The endgame is to enter the Kingdom of Heaven to come.
The Messiah explains the reward that he came to give all those that believe that the Most High sent him.
John 17:1-3
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Conclusion
When we fulfil the purpose of life, which is to worship the most high the reward is it “eternal life”. This is the ability to live forever in the Kingdom to come.
The first fruit of this was shown when the Messiah was sacrificed and resurrected.
He showed himself to his disciples and they were able to touch him and feel his regenerated body (Matthew 28:1-10) .
This is the prize that we all look forward to when we keep the Commandments of the Most High and believe in him and worship him.
Keep in mind that I’m not giving salvation just as here. The scriptures tell us that there is no way for us to comprehend the reward for keeping the Commandments of the most high.
1 Corinthians 2:9
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Shalom! And share this with someone that needs it!