Purpose

It would be silly of me to have a blog if I didn’t have easy access to the purpose of life available, so here you go.

If you’ve ever wondered what the point of living is, that’s good. It shows that you’re more than just a highly evolved species – you’re a human being with a soul.

But your soul has been mangled and tarnished thanks to our good ol’ pal, Adam.

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.” Romans 5:12-14

So thanks to one man, all people are born into sin and die. They have no way of being right with God and deserving his presence on Earth or in heaven.

“As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;
there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.” Romans 3:10-12

It doesn’t really seem fair, does it?

Well, God’s more than fair. Because if Adam’s sin caused us all to be sinners and destined for hell because we can’t measure up to God’s perfect standards, Jesus’ righteousness gives God a way to wash away that sin for us.

“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:17-19

So we can’t get to heaven by ourselves because we’re destined for death. But if we accept Jesus’ death as a substitute for our own, we can attain his righteousness.

And not only does that mean we get to go to heaven, but we get to enjoy a life with Christ here on Earth. That doesn’t mean it won’t be hard. On the contrary, it’s probably harder to live as a Christian than not to.

” As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”
Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62

Jesus never pretended like you’ll be rich or have a nice house or be super healthy on Earth if you follow him. In fact, he said just the opposite. He might bless you with things on Earth, or he might not, but even if he does, he expects you to use your blessings for his glory, not for yourself.

“…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48

So yeah, it’s hard to follow Jesus. But it gives your life purpose, and it pays off when you go before God on judgment day. And even before that, Christ makes you into a new creation, and you can say no to sin and yes to righteousness on Earth with his help when you couldn’t do it before.

And really, nothing else matters on Earth or in heaven except Christ, so why not just follow him? Paul said it the best.

“But whatever [earthly possessions and status] were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” Philippians 3:7-9