The Purpose of Man’s Life
The purpose of man’s life is fellowship with the Creator. The Lord declared, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3). Parents bring children to life for this same reason. God is our Heavenly Father and He yearns to have children to love (2 Thessalonians 2:16). Therefore, life is a chance given to humans to develop that love-relationship with their heavenly Father.
God created man with the freedom of choice to accept God’s love or reject it. Sadly, our first parents rebelled against God and chose to believe the devil’s lies (Genesis 3). As a result, the devil stole their eternal life and caused them misery, suffering, and death (Romans 5:12).
But God, in His great mercy, offered His Son to redeem mankind from the penalty of their sin so that all who accept His offer of salvation can be saved eternally (John 1:12). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). There is no greater love than this that someone may die for those whom he loves (John 15:13).
The Lord allowed sin and permitted it to take place, and then overruled it to bring about the most amazing display of His glory, power and grace, so that the benefits of salvation infinitely transcend the evils of the rebellion. Thus, “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
God Empowers the Believer
God takes individual care in every person. The Psalmist wrote, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13). And God also has individual purposes for each one. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). God’s plan for man to do good.
However, of himself a human cannot produce good deeds. It is necessary for him to be spiritually re-created in Christ before he can bring forth the good works God purposes he shall bring forth (John 15:5). By a change of the will, heart, and plans, the privilege and duty of sharing the gospel by good works become possible.
The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, presents the Church as the body of Christ. Each member in the Church has a different purpose and role. The Lord has bestowed many gifts on His children to fulfill their destiny and purpose. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 lists these spiritual gifts. So, believers can rest in the fact that their lives do have purpose.
The good Lord has made every provision to make the life of His children fulfilled, successful and happy. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20). This abundance is especially bestowed at the time of deepest need (Romans 5:20), and the Christian has but to lay hold of it by faith.
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16)
God’s plans for His children are good plans of blessings and hope (Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10). And humans can find God’s purpose for their lives when they abide in Him (John 15:1-17). Abiding in God means daily connection with Him through study of His Word (Acts 17:11) and prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
