What is the meaning of life?

This is a little question that needs a huge answer! But let’s do our best…

Ever since Adam and Eve, people have been asking questions like:
“Why am I here?�
“What am I supposed to be doing?�
“What happens when I die?�; and even,
“Why should I bother?�

The Bible gives us incredible, mind-blowing answers to these tough questions. Its answers have a unique ring of truth about them – it just feels right! Let’s consider some (only some, for now) of what the Bible tells us is the ‘meaning of life’.

Love

 1 John 4:16,19 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. We love Him because He first loved us.

 Mark 12:29-31 Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. `And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. "And the second, like it, is this: `You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

Love gives meaning to our lives. A person who lives only for him/herself is living in a dead end. Selfishness does not make us feel fulfilled or satisfied. It is lonely. We find ourselves longing for something more, something greater. We begin to find that ‘something’ when we look outside of ourselves and start to take a real interest in other people. In helping others, we find that there is a reason for us to be alive – we are making a difference! And in loving God, we begin to understand what love really means, and how incredibly beautiful it is!

But this doesn’t come for free! True love always means paying a price. Jesus showed us that on the Cross when He paid for our sins with his suffering and death. We carry the cross as a constant reminder that we should be willing to sacrifice ourselves for others and for God. And the amazing thing is this: the more you lose, the more you gain! Go figure…


Truth

 1Corinthians 13:6 Love … does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

 Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.

 Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

 John 8:32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

 John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

 Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

There is a kind of deep inbuilt joy that comes from knowing the truth. We experience a little of that when we finally solve that tough maths problem or read that really beautiful poem, or even listen to that tune that just pierces our hearts. All these things were created by God to give us a little tiny taste of truth. And they all lead eventually to the source of truth – God Himself. We were created to love and seek the truth. This search gives meaning and purpose to our lives.

Seek the truth in every part of your life – this is your mission! Seek the truth about yourself, about human nature, about the world around you, and especially about God.


Joy

 Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, Lord God of hosts.

 Psalms 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

 Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

 James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

 John 16:22 "Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

God wants us to be happy! And the joy He gives is not like the temporary happiness the world gives – it lasts forever. It even keeps going through hard times and trials. It even comes with us after death. When we feel God’s joy in our lives, we think: “this is good! I’m glad I’m alive!� joy is very much a part of the reason we exist – God created us out of His love so that we could experience true joy. If only we didn’t fall so easily into temptations, because sin takes our joy away! This too is another of our purposes in life – to fight with all our might against sin, so we can be fighting on God’s side and experience the deep joy He has created for us.


This is a very big topic, but I hope the above will give you a few things to think about…

This Q&A was found on Archangel Michael & St Bishoy Coptic Orthodox Church : http://www.stbishoy.org.au/modules/smartfaq/faq.php?faqid=21