According to the Bible, in John 17:3, the meaning of life is to know Jesus Christ. In fact, the purpose of Johns Gospel is that those who read it may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20:31). We care deeply, until we cant care anymore. Life is intelligent, sorrowful, and full of regrets. They are probably the verses you turn to when you are confused, lost, or losing hope. It was not like God was lonely and needed someone with whom He could talk and share His feelings about things. The Word became flesh in order that through his sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, Jesus would bring about eternal life to all who trust in him (John 3:1516, 11:2526, 14:6). Today some superstitions seem harmless and even funny. What about you? the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting." In this view, eternal life commences after the second coming of Jesus and the resurrection of the dead, although in the New Testament's Johannine literature there are references to eternal life . Thank you. Jesus says, "I am " the light of the world, the lamb of God, the way and the truth and the life, the bread of life, and the good shepherd. From now on you do know him and have seen him.. But from a heavenly perspective, eternal life is knowing God the Father and Jesus, His Son. Theres much to fear in todays world. What is my purpose? They anchor your life. We are uniquely created by God and equipped with natural talents and abilities to accomplish good works, which God has called us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Help us share the truth of Gods Word and the gospel! To share the love of God. God calls Christians to follow Christ and be lights to the world. John 3:36 says, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John applies the title of the Word to the person of Jesus who is the creator of all things (cf. What is the meaning of life? John 13:31-32: " Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, 'Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; if . Exodus 20:11). Yes, Christ is worthy of our passionate pursuit all the days of our lives. Please refresh the page and try again. It does not follow the same order or reproduce the same stories as the synoptic gospels. So what did Christ mean when He said, My yoke is easy and My burden is light? The Word was the one who breathed physical life into the first man, Adam (Genesis 2:7; cf. Modern civilization marks his birth by dividing time B.C. God is faithful to help us in moments of frustrations, brokenness, and grief. What will we learn about how to prepare for future crisesespecially the most dangerous, spiritual ones? Job was among the most prosperous men in the Bible, known for his life example of a blameless, sincere man who suffered. Jesus not only brings life into a fallen world, but also light. In Genesis 1, Gods first recorded spoken, creative act was to speak forth light into existence, which separated the physical light from the darkness (Genesis 1:35). Perhaps this invitation from God in Jeremiah 33:3 will be for you? This video illustrates what the Bible says about life right now in the world. Life is growth, change, and experience. John 1:118 is often referred to as a prologue because it forms an introduction to the gospel of John and is the interpretive lens by which to view the rest of the gospel. We, humans, are born in this world without knowing exactly who we are (identity), where we come from (origin), why we are here (meaning), what to live for and how we should live (purpose), and where we are going (destiny). . Ecclesiastes is a book of the Bible, one of the Wisdom books, that explains how life in this world can be meaningless. My email is below. Gods love (agape) is unconditional and throughout this life, we learn to love like He has loved us (1 John 4:8). Interestingly, the opening words of Genesis 1:1 are echoed in John 1:1: In the beginning (en arch).1 In a sense, Jesuss coming into the world represents a new creation.2 The apostle John draws our attention to the coming of Jesus into the world as a new creation by referring to him as the Word (logos), life (z), and the light (phs), which constitute creation terminology (Genesis 1:35; Psalm 33:6).3 It is helpful therefore to understand why these words are used to describe Jesus. There are two broad areas where we must seek to please God: Our walk (our behavior, including our attitude); and, our talk. Sometimes, it can be a crisis, or just a change in the season of life, when people start asking the bigger questions. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. The Christian way of life is the best way of life possible! What are the keys to lasting success in the most important aspects of our lives, and where can we find these keys? God raised Him from the dead. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK. Forgiving someone who has painfully hurt us doesnt mean that we have to be around them. Your email address will not be published. He confessed there is something beyond earthly life that God has put in the human heart and that God the Creator is always in control, even though no one can perfectly understand His work (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Jesus came so that we can have life because He is the embodiment of life. How is it possible for humans to become holylike God? List the Bible verses God uses to give your life focus, purpose, and direction. The Bible presents foundational values that are perfect and beneficialyet most reject them today. Living a life in Christ is nothing less than reliving the life of Christ in our own person. ). Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jesus answered him according to his beliefs and quoted the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and Lev. Related Papers. From a Christian perspective one would say that life is action, faith, belief, and relationships. As Christians we desire to do life well here on earth and sometimes we overdo it by putting our wants first. God desires for us to see and experience His blessings through our brokenness. The things that are meant to bring us fulfillment and joy sometimes cause us the greatest grief and misery. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Jesus came to give His followers an abundant lifefull of purpose, potential and joy. One of the most important discoveries that a person can make is when they realize they were made for God. Romans 8:1). Life has purpose and meaning. We are to learn to think and act like God because He wants us to be His children forever! He is the Son of God. Remember, the Apostle Paul was a tent-maker as his full-time job. But this is not the primary point John is making here, as the Old Testament often speaks of Gods Word as his self-expression in creation, revelation, and salvation (Jeremiah 1:4; Isaiah 55:11; Psalm 107:20).10 By stating that all things were made through him [logos], John clearly is referring to the Jewish understanding of Gods Word as the means by which creation came into being: By the word [logos, LXX] of the Lord the heavens were made (Psalm 33:6). For the righteous, the meaning (or purpose) of life is to bring glory to God our creator and enjoy him forever through Jesus Christ. The Bible defines Jesus Himself as the author and giver of life, but also as the definition of life itself. Later, a star guided men from the East to the young child. John tells us that life was in him. As the Word, Jesus is not only the creator of physical life but also the source of eternal life. The scientific study of resilience shows how to increase our chances of recovering from challenges. Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the life, must be the center, the criteria and the model for our daily lives. FOMO can be crippling if you dont have a battle plan ready. Be alert, be present. Gods Word and Jesus Christs example show us what it takes to remain sharp. They need to want to do things right before they can become independent. Our worldview affects both our thinking process and our everyday behavior. To seek the kingdom of God. Try downloading another browser like Chrome or Firefox. The divinity of Jesus is part of the doctrine of the Trinity, which states that within the one Being who is God, there exists eternally three co-equal and co-eternal persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Now its everywhere. I pray youll experience the abundant life that Jesus offers to the full! The meaning of life is not based on things we see in the world for life is more than food, and the body more than clothing (Luke 12:23). Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN The Gospel according to John is quite different in character from the three synoptic gospels. But they cannot be the definition of life and bring the ultimate meaning to life. Im so grateful to have been able to encourage you through this article. So, for eons of time he existed alone, enjoying being alive, so much so, that at some point he decided to share life with other living beings whom he would create in his own image. So we exist because he wants us to enjoy life as he does. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." One leads us to an everlasting life of peace, and the other leads us into darkness to be consumed by evil. Thank you so much. We will feel loved and wanted. Jesus encourages us to enter the narrow path that leads to life. Life was hard for the early Christians, and it is difficult for some today. Jesus taught us to walk the straight and narrow path and He showed us that we can all overcome temptation just as He did when Satan tempted Him on the mountaintop (Matthew 4:1-11). Why is humanity unable to resolve these troublesome conditions? The Bible gives vital details about the challenges and benefits of this Highway of Holiness. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. For many who are caught in the consequences of bad life choices, tomorrow seems to have no hope. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" John 14:6. For instance, war victims, natural disaster casualties, stillborn babies, etc. Sometime between 29 and 33 cepossibly 30 cehe went to observe Passover in Jerusalem, where his entrance, according to the Gospels, was triumphant and infused with eschatological significance. 1, Pace's recommended prayer strategy includes account, which means to count . Jesus says that the reason He came was to give us life abundantly, to restore Gods design for our lives (John 10:10). Can we connect? He is not one of the ways to get to Heaven, He is the only way to get to Heaven. He sends out the 12 disciples to heal the sick. No one comes to the Father except through me" ( John 14:6 ). Thus, in his lifetime Jesus was called Jesus son of Joseph (Luke 4:22; John 1:45, 6:42), Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 10:38), or Jesus the Nazarene (Mark 1:24; Luke 24:19). The coronavirus crisis has transformed our world. This one verse tells us three very important things about the Word (logos), who is identified as Jesus (John 1:17). Read Article Download PDF. You can ask Jesus into your heart today. In the Holy Scriptures, God indicates that His people can become holy as well. Influence. Everyone in history and in all places. The Bible shows that God has emotions and created our capacity for emotions. Life is a story filled with forgiveness, hate, love, disappointment, discouragement, and questions. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. What God says about you is. Before mankind fell and the curse of sin came upon the earth, the following things were true: 1) God made man a social creature ( Genesis 2:18-25) 2) God gave man work ( Genesis 2:15) 3) God had fellowship with man ( Genesis 3:8) 4) God gave man dominion over the earth ( Genesis 1:26 ). According to the Bible, the meaning of life is found in believing in Jesus (John 20:31). Without God there is no life, and His life is that eternal life of Christ that is breathed into the one that is dead in trespasses and sins, the moment we trust Him as Saviour. Please let us know if you have suggestions for future articles, and let us know any questions you would like answered. Paul warned Christians not to become weary in doing good, but did not give much detail about how to overcome spiritual burnout. For many professing Christians today, religion is just a few-hours-a-week thing. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to . Understanding the answer to these questions in the Bible gives a sense of purpose and fulfillment in our lives. Passages such as Acts of the Apostles 2:36 show that some early Christian writers knew that the Christ was properly a title, but in many passages of the New Testament, including those in the letters of the Apostle Paul, the name and title are combined and used together as Jesus name: Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus (Romans 1:1; 3:24). Marriage is only between a man and a woman. Relations between Jewish areas and nearby Gentile areas, The relation of Jesus teaching to the Jewish law, The picture of Christ in the early church: The Apostles Creed, Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, The third day he rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty, From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead, The dogma of Christ in the ancient councils, The Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople, The interpretation of Christ in Western faith and thought, Doctrines of the person and work of Christ, The Reformation and classical Protestantism, The debate over Christology in modern Christian thought. He brings us joy, peace, and understanding. According to Matthew and Luke, however, Joseph was only legally his father. Omissions? The real meaning of life must, therefore, be viewed from the lens of, and be found in, the Life-Giver. I'm David Kim and the Bible has been a passionate pursuit of mine for many years. In Islam, Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, is one of the five greatest messengers of God who are collectively known as the 'Ul al-Azm or the Possessors of Steadfastness. Our worldview is based on faith alone, so neither our thoughts nor actions play a role. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like According to Pace and Wheeler Ch. How do we live the life Jesuswants? According to the Bible, death is an aberration in the world, the chief evidence that something is terribly awry. We can have the confidence to be creative and to lead, just like our Father. Im currently writing a devotional book for cops. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? Solomon, the son of David and King of Israel, is described as the wealthiest and wisest man of his time (1 Kings 3:12-13). It seems to me after reading and watching many articles and videos on this topic that I need to stop worrying about my purpose and focus on my relationship on God wholeheartedly. of He used to persecute Christians but after his conversion, he became the apostle of Christ. We need boundaries, tough love, and rules to guard our hearts from hurtful people. God is holy! His relationship with God was renewed (Job 42:5), and the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10). After his death he came to be called Jesus Christ. How can we survive the constant bombardment of anxiety, fear and stress? We not only need to know him but also to believe in him because faith helps us when we cannot understand. Its curious how curiosity can bring out the best and worst in us. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google What does the Bible reveal about the way of peace, and how can we live that way? His teachings included parables, commandments, truth about the kingdom of God and his divine role. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. They begin to plot to kill him. We can learn to live with people in this world. God never promised that this life would be easy. 3, for a calling to be truly from Christ we must have a "Damascus road" experience., According to Pace and Wheeler Ch. ). This world is not our home and there is more to life after death. Rome had legions in both countries but not in Palestine. Jesus defined eternal life when He said, "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" ( John 17:3 ). Culture defines life as a time and place to get the best of everything. Hope that helps! 4. No one ceases to exist when they die. Its bursting out! As you might imagine, people ask the big-picture type of questions, especially when theyre going through really tough times or when there are big changes in life. It is highly literary and symbolic. Its time to get ready to face another day on the job. In light of this, life cannot be without meaning and it must revolve around the Maker of all things (John 1:3). How can we keep Gods instruction to fear not? Our understanding of the meaning of life is important because it shapes our way of life. We let financial obligations get the best of us when our paychecks are less then what we want, or we let overspending empty our pockets. He has clothed us in full armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) and His angels fight for us. Life is a story filled with forgiveness, hate, love, disappointment, discouragement, and questions. Jesus condemns their hypocrisy. Why is everyone so busy today?