Finally...The Meaning of Life
If you ask the secular world what it thinks the meaning of life is, you'll hear phrases like: motivated by goals, discover your mission, a sense of your own identity, a vision of where you want to go in your life, and going after your dreams for a better life.
While these may sound like worthy ambitions, they all fall miserably short of what the Bible says are to be our focus in life.
The true meaning of life is this: Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, though, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. (Deuteronomy 6:1-3)
In the very first verse we are commanded to "do" these commandments, statutes and judgments - in other words, continually practice them. We have heard His message, and are now instructed to put what we know into practical use in real life. For the Israelites this meant they would be distinguished from all the other nations of the world because of their loyalty to God.
For us, it means that we will also be set apart from the world because of our obedience to the Lord, because it is such a different walk than theirs. Whatever land we possess and whoever is there with us to witness to and interact with, we are commanded to be the example of holiness.
The fear of God in the heart is the most powerful principle of obedience. Verse two says that those who fear the Lord will not only be motivated to keep His statutes themselves, but to pass them on the the next generation. Once we have that fear of God in our own hearts, we should be motivated to teach others the blessings of understanding.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
Only by having a healthy fear and respect of God can we grow in knowledge and understanding of God's will for our lives. The blessing of submission to God's command is crystal clear at the end of the verse: that thy days may be prolonged.
Fear God and it will be well with your soul. If we practice what we have been taught, we are led to our own land flowing with milk and honey. There is no greater reward than prosperity from and closeness to God.
While these may sound like worthy ambitions, they all fall miserably short of what the Bible says are to be our focus in life.
The true meaning of life is this: Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, though, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. (Deuteronomy 6:1-3)
In the very first verse we are commanded to "do" these commandments, statutes and judgments - in other words, continually practice them. We have heard His message, and are now instructed to put what we know into practical use in real life. For the Israelites this meant they would be distinguished from all the other nations of the world because of their loyalty to God.
For us, it means that we will also be set apart from the world because of our obedience to the Lord, because it is such a different walk than theirs. Whatever land we possess and whoever is there with us to witness to and interact with, we are commanded to be the example of holiness.
The fear of God in the heart is the most powerful principle of obedience. Verse two says that those who fear the Lord will not only be motivated to keep His statutes themselves, but to pass them on the the next generation. Once we have that fear of God in our own hearts, we should be motivated to teach others the blessings of understanding.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
Only by having a healthy fear and respect of God can we grow in knowledge and understanding of God's will for our lives. The blessing of submission to God's command is crystal clear at the end of the verse: that thy days may be prolonged.
Fear God and it will be well with your soul. If we practice what we have been taught, we are led to our own land flowing with milk and honey. There is no greater reward than prosperity from and closeness to God.
Comments
Post a Comment