The Purpose of Life

"Now all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter. "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind." Ecclesiastes 12:13

A lot has been said about the purpose of life. There may not be a definitive answer. Solomon's conclusion in the last chapter of Ecclesiastes is as good of an answer as any. Just what is the conclusion of the matter? What is the Purpose of Life? The only other answer I have heard that resonated with me and is consistent with Scripture is one I heard 40 years ago at a Conference for young adults. The speaker said.... "The sole purpose of life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!" I really like that. It says what I believe God would tell us. Our purpose is to glorify Him and in doing so, enjoy Him forever.

So how does that fit in with what Solomon's conclusion is in the last chapter of Ecclesiastes? I thing the College Conference speaker tells us what the purpose of life is and Solomon tells us how to accomplish that purpose. Humans don't seem to be able to take intangibles like 'glorifying God' and turn them into action plans. But, we do seem to be able to receive directives. (If only we would follow through on them more often eh?) Solomon says we should fear God.... you know, in that revering kind of God is awesome way. We should realize that our lives and destiny are in His hands and we must decide what to do and how to respond to what God says.

If we indeed fear God, we then have good reasons to keep His commandments. We aren't just talking about the famous Ten Commandments here either. As excellent as those are, we are equally responsible to fulfill the keeping of the New Testament directive to "Love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbor as ourselves." Inferred in that command is the need to love ourselves. So we Love God completely and ourselves and all others. In doing so we keep all His commands. Fearing Him in a healthy way and keeping His commands would definitely glorify Him. Then wouldn't we enjoy Him forever in eternity if we have an ongoing relationship with Him here on earth? Seems like it all starts to fit together. Solomon gives us an action plan to fulfill our purpose. The purpose of our lives.

If we indeed fear God, we then have good reasons to keep His commandments. We aren't just talking about the famous Ten Commandments here either. As excellent as those are, we are equally responsible to fulfill the keeping of the New Testament directive to "Love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbor as ourselves." Inferred in that command is the need to love ourselves. So we Love God completely and ourselves and all others. In doing so we keep all His commands. Fearing Him in a healthy way and keeping His commands would definitely glorify Him. Then wouldn't we enjoy Him forever in eternity if we have an ongoing relationship with Him here on earth? Seems like it all starts to fit together. Solomon gives us an action plan to fulfill our purpose. The purpose of our lives.

Dutifully,
Pastor Fred

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