A Biblical Response to the Meaning of Life
What have you heard the meaning of life is?
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What does living a full life look like to you?
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Do you have a personal perspective on the meaning of life?
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What is your only comfort in life and in death?
That I am not my own, but belong— body and soul, in life and in death to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.
Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
What the Bible Says About the Meaning of Life
Your Life Has Meaning
At times we think that our lives could not possibly have any more meaning than the day to day boredom of BIO1F90 and our part-time job.
That there is nothing more fulfilling than trying to succeed in the rat-race of making money, having a baby, and getting a white-picket fence.
But when we accept Jesus to be our Lord and Saviour, everything changes. Because we are now representatives of Jesus.
What are some meaningful things that you have done or contributed to in the past or presently?
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So what does this actually look like?
Live to the Fullest
Worship to the Fullest
Love to the Fullest
Live to the Fullest!
John 10:10 says “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Jesus came to give believers life to the fullest.
One way of viewing abundant life is to see when people have been changed by the power of Christ; they live different lives, which affects all aspects of their experience.
He came to provide for human beings a way of life that gives us life. Meaningful life here and now, and a life that goes beyond just this life here on Earth, and to eternal life.
Love to the Fullest!
John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Loving Others
We are given the free gift of forgiveness for our sins and the grace and love of Jesus.
It is because we have received this love that we are commanded to love -- everyone.
So the meaning of life is centered around love and being a person of love to all people, from all walks of life.
This does not always mean agreeing. You do not always agree with everyone you love. But genuinely and deeply caring with Christ-like love for all.
Loving the Environment
This includes our environment.
Genesis 1:26 - Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule (care for, love) over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.”
We are made to care for, enjoy, and participate in the flourishing of all of creation. We are not done a good job of this.
This includes those in society who are often considered to be ‘less than’: Homeless, ill, and often the elderly.
Worship to the Fullest!
Romans 12:1, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Our lives are a response of thanksgiving to God for all He has done for us.
This includes our bodies -- the way we treat our bodies, the things we eat, the ways that we care for our physical existence.
If all of life is an act of worship, then part of the reason we are here is to worship God in our daily actions; no matter how big or small.
We give glory to God as we study and write an exam, and do our best.
The Meaning of Life
So the very meaning of life then is that as people who have accepted Jesus into our hearts, to be people who meaningfully love everyone, care deeply for the world God has given us, and worship Him in response to all of the good things He has done for us.
All of your life has meaning, because God is working in and through the very part of your life.
From a small cup of coffee and a good conversation with a friend, to reading the Bible with a group like this, to participating in a volunteer community caring for and supporting those who are in the most need.
Your life has meaning because God is working in your life, giving you meaning far and beyond that which we could give to ourselves.