What is the meaning of life? Why are we here for? What is the purpose of life? What is my purpose? These questions are asked so often and many overlook the simple answer.
Rev 4:11 - Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
We are here to please God. Plain and simple. Do you have a problem with that?
Think about this…
Have you ever made something? If not, you have surely purchased something.
Why?
For your good pleasure. So what is the purpose of that thing you made or purchased? What is the meaning of its existence?
To please you.
And you can use it when, where, and for whatever purpose you desire. You can decide to swap it for something else, give it away, destroy it, and whatever you want. The sole reason that item exists is to please you.
And so it is with us. Our purpose in life is to please God. Despite mankind trying a myriad of ways to find purpose nothing brings fulfillment in our lives outside of serving the Lord.
Now think about this: God both created and purchased us. He made us from the dust of the ground in the beginning and purchased us through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Contents
show
1. Primary Purpose of Existence: To Glorify and Please God
| Action | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Keeping God’s commandments and doing what is pleasing in His sight | Receiving what we ask from Him (1 John 3:22) |
| Doing good and communicating | God is well pleased with such sacrifices (Hebrews 13:16) |
| Having faith in God | Pleasing God, who rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6) |
| Minding the things of the Spirit | Living according to the Spirit pleases God (Romans 8:5) |
| Being transformed by renewing the mind to prove God’s will | Understanding what is good, acceptable, and perfect in God’s will (Romans 12:2) |
| Having ways that please the Lord | Making even enemies to be at peace (Proverbs 16:7) |
| Presenting bodies as living sacrifices to God | Living a life holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1-2) |
| Meditating and speaking words acceptable to God | Having words and thoughts acceptable in God’s sight (Psalms 19:14) |
| Loving God with all heart, understanding, soul, and strength | Exceeding the value of burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mark 12:33) |
| Being filled with the knowledge of God’s will | Gaining spiritual understanding and wisdom (Colossians 1:9-10) |
| Delighting in doing God’s will and having His law in the heart | Experiencing delight in following God (Psalms 40:8) |
| Always doing things that please God | Having God’s continual presence (John 8:29) |
| Speaking the gospel not to please men, but God | Pleasing God who tests the heart (1 Thessalonians 2:4) |
| Doing everything to the glory of God | Glorifying God in all aspects of life (1 Corinthians 10:31) |
| Believing to see the glory of God | Witnessing the glory of God (John 11:40) |
| Giving all glory to God | Contributing to the eternal glorification of God (Romans 11:36) |
Example Bible Stories:
- Creation’s Intent: Genesis narrates the creation of man, indicating our purpose is aligned with God’s design, where pleasing Him is central.
- Jesus’ Life: Jesus’ life (e.g., His submission in Gethsemane – Matthew 26:39) exemplifies living for God’s will, not personal desires.
- Solomon’s Wisdom: In Ecclesiastes, Solomon concludes that fearing God and keeping His commandments is the whole duty of man, after exploring various earthly pursuits.
2. Connection with Personal Happiness: Pleasing God Leads to Fulfillment
| Action | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Delighting in the Lord | God gives the desires of the heart (Psalm 37:4) |
| Rejoicing and doing good | Leads to fulfillment in life (Ecclesiastes 3:12) |
| Rejoicing in the Lord always | Brings spiritual contentment (Philippians 4:4) |
| Trusting in God’s salvation | Provides strength and salvation (Isaiah 12:2) |
| Finding wisdom and understanding | Leads to happiness (Proverbs 3:13-18) |
| Accepting God’s correction | Brings happiness and understanding of God’s love (Job 5:17-27) |
| Trusting and doing good | Ensures well-being and sustenance (Psalms 37:3) |
| Finding joy in tribulations for Christ | Strength in weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:10) |
| Filling with joy and peace in believing | Abounding in hope by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13) |
| Being patient in tribulation and constant in prayer | Encourages perseverance and faithfulness (Romans 12:12) |
| Being joyful and doing good | Fulfillment and enjoyment in life (Ecclesiastes 3:12) |
| Trusting and not being afraid in God’s salvation | God becomes strength and song (Isaiah 12:2) |
Example Bible Stories:
- Job’s Faithfulness: Despite immense suffering, Job remains faithful to God (Job 1-2), finding contentment in God’s sovereignty rather than in worldly circumstances.
- David’s Psalms: David often expresses in Psalms (e.g., Psalm 23) how his relationship with God brings him joy and peace, even in trials.
- Prodigal Son: Luke 15’s story of the Prodigal Son shows true happiness and fulfillment in returning to and pleasing the father.
3. Receiving Divine Blessings: Pleasing God Brings Blessings
| Action | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Trusting in God’s provision | God supplies all needs (Philippians 4:19) |
| Accepting gifts from the Father of lights | Receiving every good and perfect gift (James 1:17) |
| Giving generously | Being given back in good measure (Luke 6:38) |
| Not fearing, trusting in God’s strength and help | Receiving God’s strength and help (Isaiah 41:10) |
| Hearkening diligently and observing God’s commandments | Being set on high above all nations (Deuteronomy 28:1-68) |
| Not worrying, trusting in God’s care | God’s provision and care (Matthew 6:30-33) |
| Being mindful of the Lord’s creation | Receiving blessings from the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 115:15) |
| Trusting in the Lord | Being blessed for trust in the Lord (Jeremiah 17:7) |
| Remembering God’s benefits | Not forgetting God’s benefits (Psalm 103:2) |
| Being joyful in God’s presence | Experiencing gladness in God’s presence (Psalm 21:6) |
| Seeing and hearing God’s word | Blessed for seeing and hearing God’s word (Matthew 13:16) |
Example Bible Stories:
- Abraham’s Obedience: Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22) leads to God’s promise of abundant blessings and descendants.
- Israelites’ Journey: In the Exodus narrative, when Israelites obey God (e.g., during the Passover in Exodus 12), they receive His protection and provision.
- Daniel’s Faithfulness: Daniel’s steadfastness in prayer (Daniel 6) results in protection and blessings, even in the lions’ den.
4. Eternal Perspective: Focusing on Spiritual Fulfillment
| Action | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Believing in Jesus for eternal life | Everlasting life (John 3:16) |
| Recognizing sin leads to death, accepting God’s gift | Eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23) |
| Knowing God and Jesus Christ for eternal life | Life eternal through knowing God (John 17:3) |
| Calling upon the name of the Lord for salvation | Salvation (Romans 10:13) |
| Confessing sins for forgiveness and cleansing | Forgiveness and cleansing from unrighteousness (1 John 1:9) |
| Doing the will of God for kingdom of heaven | Entry into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21-23) |
| Hearing Jesus’ word and believing for life | Everlasting life, no condemnation (John 5:24) |
| Sowing to please the Spirit for eternal life | Reaping eternal life (Galatians 6:7-8) |
| Focusing on Jesus, enduring hardships for joy | Eternal joy with Christ (Hebrews 12:1-2) |
| Embracing godliness with contentment | Great gain in godliness (1 Timothy 6:6-7) |
| Living with eternal perspective, not worldly things | The present world is temporary (1 Corinthians 7:29-31) |
| Serving Christ over human approval | Being a servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10) |
| Prioritizing love for Christ over attachments | Finding life in Christ (Matthew 10:37-39) |
| Seeking treasure in heaven, not earthly possessions | Eternal treasures in heaven (Luke 12:32-34) |
| Rejecting worldliness to do God’s will | Eternal life by doing God’s will (1 John 2:15-17) |
| Setting hearts and minds on heavenly things | Focusing on the heavenly realm (Colossians 3:1-2) |
| Loving others selflessly as Christ did | Greater love and sacrifice (John 15:12-13) |
| Valuing eternal life over worldly gains | Preserving one’s soul (Luke 9:25) |
| Pressing on towards the heavenly goal in Christ | Winning the heavenly prize (Philippians 3:13-14) |
Example Bible Stories:
- Moses’ Choice: Hebrews 11:25-26 describes Moses choosing mistreatment with God’s people over Egyptian pleasures, valuing eternal reward over temporary gratification.
- Rich Man and Lazarus: Luke 16’s parable contrasts temporary earthly riches with eternal spiritual realities, emphasizing long-term perspective.
- Paul’s Mission: Paul’s life (e.g., Philippians 1:21) reflects a focus on eternal values over worldly achievements.
5. Holistic Well-being: Aligning with Divine Principles for Overall Wellness
| Action | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Having a merry heart | Good health like medicine (Proverbs 17:22) |
| Knowing the truth for freedom | Spiritual freedom (John 8:32) |
| Continuing in faith through tribulation | Strengthening of the soul (Acts 14:22) |
| Presenting bodies as living sacrifices to God | Living holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1-2) |
| Not considering anything unclean of itself | Personal convictions in faith (Romans 14:14) |
| Not defiling the temple of God | Preserving the holiness of the body (1 Corinthians 3:17) |
| Not being thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, or extortioners | Inheriting the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:10) |
| Acknowledging the body as the temple of the Holy Ghost | Being God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) |
| Prospering and being in health as the soul prospers | Physical and spiritual prosperity (3 John 1:2) |
| Healing the broken in heart and binding up wounds | Healing and comfort (Psalm 147:3) |
| Knowing the body is the temple of the Holy Ghost | Respecting the body as God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) |
| Healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead | Miraculous healing and giving (Matthew 10:8) |
| Speaking pleasant words for health | Soul health and strength (Proverbs 16:24) |
| Fearing the Lord and departing from evil for health | Physical and spiritual health (Proverbs 3:7-8) |
| Understanding the role of godliness in physical and spiritual life | Physical and eternal benefits (1 Timothy 4:8) |
Example Bible Stories:
- Joseph’s Integrity: In Genesis 39, Joseph resists Potiphar’s wife, choosing to honor God, which leads to his overall well-being and eventual rise to power.
- Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego: Their refusal to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s statue (Daniel 3) showcases adherence to God’s commands, resulting in physical and spiritual preservation.
- Samuel’s Dedication: Samuel’s lifelong dedication to God from 1 Samuel shows a life of peace, respect, and spiritual strength, emphasizing holistic well-being through faithfulness.
The following two tabs change content below.
Allan Wilson is the creator of the Scriptural Thinking Affirmations Package. Featuring over 200 minutes of mp3 audio Bible affirmations complete with background music. The package comes with the original affirmations PDF ebook and many bonus affirmation Bible studies as well. The affirmations are designed to help you call to remembrance all of the wonderful benefits of being in Christ and the marvelous privilege of being a child of God.
Latest posts by Bigal (see all)
- Represent Your Culture: We Are People Of Faith – Faith Culture - November 24, 2023
- The Power of Faith in Christ: Insights from Matthew 9:2 - November 24, 2023
- I Have Not Found So Great Faith, No, Not in Israel - November 24, 2023
