Meaning and Purpose of Life

• Meaning and purpose of life

  At some point(s) in their lives, most people wonder about the meaning of life in general and, in particular, about what purpose their individual lives have
• Christians


  They draw on their personal experiences and they may be influenced by the views of those they respect and admire. They also tend to look for answers or guidance in the beliefs and teachings of their religion, referring to the sources of authority that were considered in the first chapter of this revision guide and in the text book.
• To glorify God and have a personal relationship with him


  Christians believe that humans cannot know the nature of God. The Old Testament writings often refer to God's glory. God's glory was, according to John's Gospel, reflected uniquely in Jesus. Christians believe that because they, like all humans, are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), they should reflect God's glory in their lives. Jesus taught his disciples that their lives should encourage others to give glory to God.
• Matthew 5:16: 'In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.'
• Living a life that glorifies God


  Christians experience the Kingdom of God in this life as well as beyond death.
• John 5-24: 'Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.'
• To prepare for judgement

  According to the creation story in Genesis 2, humans were created for fellowship with God, but disobeying God led to alienation. God alone could restore the relationship and he did this through the death of Jesus, the supreme act of reconciliation. The final act of this reconciliation is the judgement that all humans will face.
• Glory


  The infinite beauty and splendour of God.
• Jesus' parable of the sheep and the goats


  This judgement would be based on how people responded or failed to respond to those in need.
• Heaven


  A reward for good behaviour, which links to the idea of justification by works.
• Kingdom of God


  Not a geographical location, it refers to the rule of God.
• Judgement


  The traditional Christian belief that after death, people's lives will be assessed by God.
• To bring about God's Kingdom on earth


  The concept of the Kingdom of God was a key part of Jewish thinking, and in the time of Jesus, there were several ways of thinking about it: Jewish rabbis (teachers) thought of the Kingdom as linked to the keeping of the Torah (all 613 commandments set out in the Law). The Kingdom would, however, be brought about by God. Many Jews of Jesus' day thought of it in terms of the coming of the Messiah as a military figure who would liberate Israel from Roman occupation. Christians believe that Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom. Some Christians think of it as an event entirely in the future, linking it to their belief in the Second Coming of Jesas and Judgement Day, referring to Jesus' teaching in the parable of the sheep and the goats. Other Christians believe that although the Kingdom will be fully realised after death, it is also a partial reality now.
• Mark 1.15: 'The time has come,' he said. 'The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!"'
• Realising the Kingdom of God on earth

  Christians understand this as the responsibility of caring not only for their fellow humans but for the whole of God's creation. The Old Testament prophets spoke of a new age marked by justice, peace and the fulfilment of everyone's needs. The eighth century prophet Hosea envisaged God making a new covenant with the whole of creation. Instead of waiting for God to intervene, humans are called to work actively for the realisation of the Kingdom on earth by pursuing justice, etc..
• Youcet 199: '(Christians) are sent to engage in society so that the kingdom of God can grow among men.'
• This understanding of the purpose of life does not exclude the more personal approaches seen above.
• Many of those most actively involved in working for the realisation of God's Kingdom on earth see it as a means of giving glory to God.
• What they do arises out of their personal relationship with God, sustained by prayer and meditation.