Scott Broberg Fig Tree Ministries

This may sound circular but, the "meaning of life" is to find "meaning in life." 

How do we find "meaning" or "purpose" in life with all the suffering that exists around us? 

The short answer is to "aim" or "posture" ourselves toward the highest possible good (that we can conceive) - which is God. God is the highest "goodness." In Exodus 33:19, God says, "I will cause all My goodness to pass before you." 

Worshiping God is our "aim" or "posture." When we worship God, we will naturally transform into His image. 

There is a spiritual principle that says, "you will transform into the likeness of that which you worship." (On the contrary, if you worship a 'false idol' - say money - you will begin to reflect the characteristics of that idol.) This is why God says, "Have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). When you place a substitute idol instead of God, you will not be able to transform/reflect the goodness of God. 

Another way of stating the same idea is that the highest possible good is the "kingdom of God" (Matt. 6:33). See first the kingdom of God. Make building the kingdom of God your goal. 

The second part of "find meaning in life" is to take on as much responsibility as you possibly can. Responsibility for yourself and your actions, for your family, for your community, and the world. Take on the responsibility of building the kingdom of God. 

Jesus says, "take up your cross" to be a disciple of his (Matt. 16:24). One way of understanding this passage is that you are to "take up" as much responsibility as possible for the kingdom of God. Take on the responsibility for dealing correctly with sin in the world – yours first – then the sins of others. 

During the process of taking on this much responsibility, you will naturally transform. You will find meaning and purpose despite the suffering you may experience or see around you. 

Taking on responsibility - specifically the "kingdom of God" responsibility - will transform the way you see the world. We begin to see the world through God's spiritual eyes. 

The more you see the world through God's eyes, the more JOY you will discover in the small details of life. 

Joy is an emotion that requires a relationship. Joy is based on "likemindedness." When you are likeminded with a friend, you experience joy. When you become likeminded with God, you experience the "joy of the Lord" (Neh. 8:10). 

How to find meaning in life?

1. Set your spiritual aim at the highest possible goodness.
- you do this when you worship God
- you do this when your goal is the kingdom of God. 

2. Take on as much responsibility as you can TODAY for bringing goodness into the world
- is it good for you today? Tomorrow? 10 years from now?
- is it good for your family today? Tomorrow? 10 years from now?
- is it good for the community today? Tomorrow? 10 years from now? 
- is it good for your relationship with God? Would God agree that it is good and therefore bring you joy in the long run? 

3. Follow Jesus as your model. When you become a disciple of Jesus, you want to become “like him” in all areas of life. When you make Jesus your object of worship, you will naturally transform to be like him (1 Cor. 11:1; 2 Cor. 3:18).

September 29 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that, from a Biblical standpoint, we should care because God cares. He is the essence and origin of life. He created and gave life to humanity specifically for the purposes of having eternal fellowship with Him (which is the greatest state of meaning or fulfillment possible), as well as praising and glorifying Him for doing so.

Even after humanity broke that fellowship through its disobedience to His commands, God still loved us enough (as noted in John 3:16) to make the restoration of that fellowship possible through the sacrifice of His own Son.

Our response to God for that love should be placing faith in Christ to receive that gift of eternal life in His presence, as well as obeying Him -- not out of necessity or compulsion, but in reciprocal love and also gratitude to Him for making that eternal life possible -- in addition to striving to bring as many other people as possible to that same saving faith.

September 29 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Grant Abbott Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

God’s revelation in his word, is the only source of truth that gives meaning to life. The culture of our world teaches us that we came into existence through the chance forces of evolution, and when we die it’s all over, the end of life.

But the bible says God breathed into each human being and we became alive (Gen 2:7). God created each human in his image (Gen 1:27) as eternal spiritual beings, and gave us the responsibility of taking care of his creation ((Gen 1:28). 

God knew each on of us and had willed our existence before we were conceived (Psalm 139:15-16). God created each of us for the sheer pleasure of having an intimate personal relationship with us that would last forever. God created us to redeem the world that had gone astray through sin, death and every evil force. He chooses to partner with us in bringing his kingdom to the earth. He makes us ambassadors of his gospel message (2 Cor 5:20). He uses us, through the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit living in every Christian, to set the captives free (Isaiah 61:1-11) When Jesus comes again he will reward every Christian for our faithfulness in fulfilling God’s purposes for our lives (Matt 25:31-40), and these rewards will be ours to enjoy for eternity in the new heaven and earth that Jesus will create (Rev 22:12-14).

September 29 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

ainsley chalmers Medical Research Scientist, devoted family man.

One of the questions asked in our catechism booklet in primary school was this question "What is the meaning of life"? The basic answer which we learnt by heart still applies to day was " To know Him, to love Him, to serve Him here on earth and to be happy forever in Heaven with Him."

November 20 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report