I would imagine most of us have asked ourselves that question. The inquiry started for me as a young child. When I ask the question, I am specifically asking, “Do you know what your purpose is in the very brief life that you have? For those who are in government they are convinced they would spend their lives as public servants, community advocates, council men and women, senators, house members, first responders. Then there are doctors, lawyers, athletes, entertainers, humanitarians, etc. God has given us all talents and gifts to make this world a better, safer and healthier place to live.
Sadly, many have and continue to abuse the gifts and talents given to them in lieu of helping others. Those that have perverted their gifts have caused irreparable damage to countless lives - not just human life, but wildlife as well. Human flourishing MUST always be the goal.
But that is not always the case.
If you don't know why you’re here, I have the answer for you. The Word of God tells us. In Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, The end of the matter: all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil.
We have been created to give glory to God our whole lives long. That is the beauty and wisdom of the scriptures, it gives a singular all encompassing purpose, give glory to God!
So, where do we start?
Proverbs 1:7 tells us, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Similarly Proverbs 9:10-11 tells us, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and the years of life will be added to you.
I’m claiming those promises for myself, but in order to make good on that claim one MUST fear the Lord.
When Jesus began His public ministry He declared these words, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). In case you do not know what repent means, it is defined by changing one’s mind - about our sins in the Biblical evangelical context. You see Jesus came to earth on a rescue mission, to seek and save those who are lost - to save His people from their sins (Luke 19:10; Matt 1:21). The Father God's love for us is what compelled Him to send His only begotten Son to come and die for us (John 3:16).
The main problem with man is that he has foolishly and hopelessly chosen to be at war with God - a battle he can never win. It's our sin that drives this insidious rage against our Maker. Listen to these penetrating words from King Solomon: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12;16:25).While man lives just to die, God desires to raise the dead to life!
What do I mean?
The Bible declares that we are dead in our trespasses and sins prior to the Spirit of God regenerating us to new life in Christ (Eph 2:1; Col 2:13). That is why Jesus told Nicodemus you must be born again (Italics added for emphasis John 3:3). Jesus has to come and give us the truth because without the Lord, we are dead while we live. John the Baptist said, “He that has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son does not have life, but the wrath of God abides on Him” (John 3:36).
Without Jesus you are an empty shell. Although you may appear beautiful on the outside, inwardly you are a corpse, a casket spiritually (Matthew 23:27). No one should want that to be their legacy. To live your life apart from the Lord is a life wasted no matter how successful you are. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul, or what can a man give in exchange for his soul (Matthew 16:26)?
I realize that this is a hard word for many people, but it is the truth. Consider how brief life really is. Even if you lived to be 120 years old, what is that compared to eternity? Do you care enough about your life to turn it around for Jesus’ sake, or does He cramp your style? Are you ashamed of the gospel? Or perhaps you’re mad at God because you prayed for a sick loved one to get well and they died. Perhaps your spouse or child died all of a sudden. Why would a loving God allow that to happen? Here’s a very hard truth friends:
Because of the sin of Adam the world since the dawn of time has been under a death sentence (Romans 6:23). All of us have an appointment with death. All of us are guaranteed to meet that appointment (Hebrew 9:27). What frightens the world is that we do not know or have control of when and how we will die. But God knows. He’s the only one that knows.
Here is another frightening thought, most do not know for certain where they will end up - heaven or hell. These are realities most do not want to talk about. I get that. But as each day comes and goes, we are getting closer to closing our eyes and waking up in eternity - with or without the Lord. These are the only two realities any of us will face. If there are other options, then God is a liar and the Bible is not true.
Not even the devil is that stupid.
We were made to love the Lord our God with our heart, soul and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). At the end of the day nothing else matters. Sure, God made this planet for us to inhabit, to train it, subdue and enjoy its numerous benefits and blessings. We should have fun, joy, love and peace and laughter as much as possible in this brief life of pain and sin. But that cannot and should not be the sum total of our lives - to enjoy God’s creation without giving Him praise for it. As beautiful as this planet is, it's defiled because of mankind’s sin. God will destroy and re-create it to the paradise it once was before the fall of mankind that brought sin into the world (Isa 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev 21:1).
So you see unregenerate man is a prisoner to his evil. That is why he can never have lasting peace. Unredeemed man is a savage. It starts in his youth. He is the most untamed beast the world will ever know. Peace only comes from Jesus, the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). Only the Lord can find and save wretches like us. Only then will you know why you’re here - to conform to Christ’s image (Romans 8:29). That will take your whole life long (Ephesians 2:10).
The Bible commands us that whatever we do, do to glory to God (Matt 5:16;1 Cor 10:31; Col 3:17).
Without the Lord you’re only born to die - eternally without him in hell.
Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth (Galatians 4:16)?