Fellowship With the Creator
In a general sense, the purpose of life and why we’re here on earth, is to know and fellowship with our heavenly Father and Creator (1 John 1:3). Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him” (John 14:23 also Zechariah 2:10; Isaiah 57:15; Leviticus 26:12). It is God’s plan that we get to know Him (Philippians 3:10), believe Him (John 20:31), and share His love with others (Matthew 28:19-20).
Before God created us, He knew sin would enter the world. He knew the great sacrifice necessary to restore us back to Himself, that is, the blood of His dear Son; yet He thought that we were worth it. And He took the risk. When man sinned, he was separated from the Creator and sentenced to death (Romans 6:23). Consequently, the direct fellowship with God ceased (Isaiah 59:2).
But the Lord in His infinite mercy, offered His Son to pay the penalty of man’s sin by His death. “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). Thus, anyone that wants a relationship with God, can do so by accepting the death of Christ on his behalf and walk in His path (John 1:12).
Thus, through God’s plan of salvation, man’s direct fellowship with the Creator will be eventually restored in God’s Kingdom of glory. At that time, “the tabernacle of God” will be “with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4).
An Individual Plan for Each Person
Beside the general purposes, there are also individual purposes. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” God’s messengers were individually called by God each for a specific purpose. Noah, Joseph, David, Paul and many others were used by God for great purposes.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31 talks about the Church as a body. Each member of the Church has a different purpose, just as each portion of the body is used for different things. Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 list several spiritual gifts a person might receive from the Lord to equip him for His purpose.
How Can We Discover God’s Purpose?
First: by praying to God to reveal His purpose to us. Jesus promised, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7).
Second: by studying the Scriptures to hear what the Lord is saying to us. God will not direct us to do something contrary to His word. The Psalmist wrote, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).
Third: by examining His providence in our lives through open and closed doors. Paul wrote, “For a great door and effectual is opened to me” (1 Corinthians 16:9).
Fourth: by paying attention to our strengths and abilities that the Lord has given us. (1 Corinthians 12:9-11; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31).
Fifth: finally, by listening to the wisdom of experienced godly Christian leaders. Solomon wrote, “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 12:15) .
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
