Purpose of life?

[Mayflower1]

I would say our purpose is in faith, and in faith to bear fruit, like a seed's purpose is to grow and bear fruit.

Galatians 5:5-23

Bible Gateway passage: Galatians 5 - New International Version

Freedom in Christ
5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

 

[Mayflower1]

I know that is a long passage the lines in bold are main take aways for your question. Just good to see things in context.

 

[James_Lai]

Hell is a tragedy. But people don't go there because they sin. We know this is true because everybody sins but not everybody goes to hell. People go to hell because their sins aren't forgiven. The gospel is about the forgiveness of sins. That's why it's good news. Jesus even forgave those who brutally murdered him. To me that's pretty much unfathomable. But that's how God is.

You said that God created us to keep His company. Sounds like an awful filter to deserve that as according to Matthew 7, few will have the privilege to enter through the narrow gate

 

[ViaCrucis]

To be human.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[James_Lai]

Thank you to all for your answers!!!

Leaving this site, good bye!

All the best to you all.

 

[Mayflower1]

@James_Lai I will keep you in prayer. I hope you discover the purpose for your life and how much God loves you.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Hello.

A big question for all people is what is the purpose of my life? As in the Ecclesiastes it says, we all die and everything we work for is inherited by people who didn’t earn it. Eat, drink and be merry as it’s the only sense we can make out of this life.

Reading the Bible, listening to church preaching or talking with Christians it seems the main purpose of life is to get to Heaven, a happy eternal Paradise. Because the other alternative of being tormented in endless Hell is less desirable to say the least. Carrot and stick. The good old dualism of existence. God and the devil, life and death, reward and punishment, good and bad.

According to Evangelical denominations, it seems to be easy enough by praying a short prayer with faith and it seals the deal. You are born again and guaranteed Heaven no matter what as Jesus’s blood washes and makes you perfect in the eyes of God.

Not a hard thing to do. Learn some information and believe it. Saved by grace alone through faith in the finished work of Christ.

After you did it, all that remains is to spread the good news to all people in all corners of the world out of love, gratitude and moral duty.

This salvation method seems pretty weird to me on one hand, on another hand this idea of the good news and undeserved love of God is very powerful. People feel so relieved and changed. Talking about the sincere and genuine ones; as in any faith there are those who pretend or do it for money or think they do it right, but in fact aren’t really convinced etc. These days it seems in the Western society secular thought is the most powerful and overwhelmed every other idea (Islam being pretty resilient it seems against conformism)

Non-evangelical seem to say it’s not enough to have faith, you need a lifetime of worship and dedication to obeying God’s commands. I’m not sure I understand this idea well. It’s like faith and works together, which is a bit contradictory. But I get it, as it’s a deeper and more complex understanding how life works perhaps. It’s less weird actually, because it seems more logical and fair to me, and probably aligns better with the Biblical teaching of both faith in heart and high ethics in behaviour.

Anyways.

Can you please define what is the purpose of life according to Christian teaching? Overall in most general terms, and more detailed for everyday happenings and relations. Big picture and more practical.

Mark 12:29-31 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
​

God want us to have love one for another.

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
​

We are saved by faith in Jesus death and resurrection, His offer of forgiveness. But we are encouraged to not use that fact as an excuse to sin, but rather to serve one another.

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
​

God also wants us connected to Him, the first commandment, so that out of His strength we can live right before Him, and others.

Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
​

One might ask what is love?

Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. ​

Love is lifting up those in humanity who are hurting. Giving to the needy, encouraging the weak, bearing with one another.

 

[childeye 2]

Anyways.

Can you please define what is the purpose of life according to Christian teaching? Overall in most general terms, and more detailed for everyday happenings and relations. Big picture and more practical.

If you read this, the bible and Christianity might make more sense.

The purpose is to show Who He is and to create children unto Himself. God cannot be valued or known as the Light unless He presents Himself in the midst of darkness. Note that compassion is a reaction to suffering. We could not experience it otherwise.

The scriptures begin with an innocent mankind. We are good, not evil, in that we have God's Perfect Spirit in our hearts. But we do not reason it's worth because we do not know good from evil. Therefore, one's love can be misguided.

In this setting, the serpent introduces a false image of god using subtlety, and beguiles Eve into believing that the knowledge of good and evil is being denied them because God does not want them to be equal with Him. This false image is the god of this world that promotes a look out for #1, do it to them before they do it to you, dog eat dog mentality.

We were made good to begin with, but did not know what that good means. So we were corruptible, and when tested, we fell.

God gave mankind His Spirit which is absolutely good to begin with, but the creature takes it for granted in two ways.
1) We think we are righteous of our own selves, and in taking credit for God's attributes, we become vain.
2) We cannot fully appreciate the value of what is given us, without losing it. So, we have to learn, through experiencing what happens in the absence of it, in a real-life temporal experience.

The chosen people exist as such, for the purpose of bringing forth the Messiah. According to scripture, these chosen people would reject the Messiah and that would be the end of the Coveneant God had with them. But the Christ would be received in every nation, through the Gospel.

Jesus is The True Image of God sent by God, and not an image imagined by any man or angel. The Christ is a Love that forgives those who would crucify him, saying "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do".

This is why we are forgiven all sin when we pick up our own cross and walk in his spirit that forgives others out of a pure heart. For though we have all sinned, we know that it was a false image of god that corrupted the soul of mankind. When we believe/trust that this is the son of God, we receive the Holy Spirit Who transforms us into a child of God, rather than remain conformed to the god of this world.

2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 

[Irkle Berserkle]

I think God created us to enjoy our company. He is a craftsman, we are the work of his hands, and every craftsman enjoys the work of his hands. That's what the resurrection is all about, to me: the human race once again living in direct company with God.

There's a passage that says Jesus endured the cross because of "the joy that was set before him". That joy is living with us in the next age. It's gonna be a good time.

This is pretty close to what I believe. Instead of your craftsman analogy, which is fine, I use the artist analogy. I believe God is omni-creative. I believe He creates for the divine equivalent of the same reason an artist paints, a novelist writes and a musician plays. He enjoys watching His creation unfold.

He chose to create humans with libertarian free will and place them in a creation where all variety of moral challenges would confront them. He knew from the outset that not all of their choices would be morally good and certainly not holy. His plan from before the creation thus was that those who chose to turn to Him would receive salvation in Christ.

As you suggest, I believe God desires communion, now and in eternity, with genuine moral agents who have recognized their failings and their inability to overcome them through their own efforts and have turned to God for mercy, forgiveness and salvation in the exercise of their free will. For reasons that only He knows, He values such communion.

I think understanding the reasons God created in the first place is essential to understanding the purpose of life while we are here. Based on the above, I would say the overarching purpose of a Christian's life is communion with God. At a practical level, the purpose is to communicate God's existence and message to others so they may enter into communion with God. This may mean no more than attempting to lead a Spirit-filled life that is an example to others and doesn't conform to the depravity of the world. Or it may mean an actual ministry of preaching, teaching and witnessing.

I don't believe one size fits all or that God expects every Christian to be priest or gung-ho proselytizer. I believe part of His creative enjoyment is seeing what we do with our Christianity and the gifts we have been given.

All pretty speculative, of course, but hopefully my speculation is guided by the Spirit.

 

[angelsaroundme]

"And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." - 1 Peter 5:10

"For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison." - 2 Corinthians 4:17

"And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified." - Romans 8:28-30

 

[aiki]

Hello.

A big question for all people is what is the purpose of my life? As in the Ecclesiastes it says, we all die and everything we work for is inherited by people who didn’t earn it. Eat, drink and be merry as it’s the only sense we can make out of this life.

For the Christian reading these statements, it is understood that such "advice" is supposed to stand as a sort of cynical, tired, end-of-life philosophy that reflects the worn, soured heart of the writer, not necessarily the Truth of God.

The apostle Paul wrote that if Christ did not rise from the dead, then we all remain in our sins, cut off from God, and destined for an eternity separated from Him, utterly alone with ourselves in the "darkness of blackness, forever." And if this is the case, then a base, Epicurean pursuit of temporal "happiness" makes sense - at least, to Paul. Without God, we are just accidents of Nature, meat bags, "dancing to our DNA." Why not, then, try to eke out of life as much pleasure as possible? Whether we live as Mother Theresa or Hitler, our final end is the same, if there is no God.

Reading the Bible, listening to church preaching or talking with Christians it seems the main purpose of life is to get to Heaven, a happy eternal Paradise. Because the other alternative of being tormented in endless Hell is less desirable to say the least. Carrot and stick. The good old dualism of existence. God and the devil, life and death, reward and punishment, good and bad.

This is a profoundly mistaken line of thinking - though, it is held by many Christians, as you've observed. Heaven is what it is - heaven - because it is where God "dwells." At the end of every life God stands either as Judge or Heavenly Father. The Christian who has come to know and love God in this life, moves to their end excited and expectant, knowing they go to meet their wonderful Heavenly Father. He is heaven, not a shining kingdom in the clouds somewhere, He is the "exceeding great reward" of the born-again life.

The unrepentant wicked, the lost person, encounters God as a holy Judge, rendering upon their rebellious, sinful life the just punishment such a life deserves. They have chosen to live as an enemy of God, refusing His rightful rule of their lives, defying His divine prerogative as Giver and Sustainer of their lives to direct them as He wills. Obviously, meeting Him, as they must, on the other side of death's door, is not a joyful prospect; certainly, they have no wish to dwell with Him for eternity. And so, God gives them what they want: permanent separation from Him in an existence occupied only with themselves.

Dualism falls apart in the presence of God and the afterlife. There is no balance between Light and Dark with God (1 John 1:5; James 1:13); there is no counter-balancing, necessary, negative equal to God. And He calls His children to totally forsake the Dark and live only in the Light. No mixing of the two things; no balance to be struck between them. Right living, holy living, divine living is utterly absent of Darkness, of evil and sin. Our eternal, heavenly end is not, then, to finally obtain a middle ground between Light and Darkness, a "stable combination" of these opposites, but to be forever free of the Dark, as God intended we should be from the Beginning.

According to Evangelical denominations, it seems to be easy enough by praying a short prayer with faith and it seals the deal. You are born again and guaranteed Heaven no matter what as Jesus’s blood washes and makes you perfect in the eyes of God.

??? I've been an evangelical Protestant (Baptist) all my life and this is not what I, or anyone I know in the denomination, preaches. A mere prayer is not what "seals the deal," like some sort of ritual incantation invoking an impersonal, magical effect. God looks on the heart, the Bible says, and deals with us according to what is there. He is not fooled by mere words, or tearful proclamations of faith, but sees what resides at the core of who we are and responds to it.

Jesus preached repentance - a change of mind and heart - and then conversion, never "Just say these words and you're in" (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 13:1-5). Salvation comes as one fully, sincerely embraces the truth of the Gospel, trusting in Christ as one's Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10), anticipating a correspondingly revolutionized character of living that reflects the one's born-again status (James 2:19-20).

It is true, though, that God saves us rather than that we save ourselves. To the "final operation" of salvation, we can contribute nothing. We are the desperately sin-sick upon whom the Great Physician must work His healing surgery, removing from us the "tumor" of Self and the stain of sin. We can only lie upon His spiritual "operating table" and receive His saving work. On this point, the Bible is crystal clear. (Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5)

Not a hard thing to do. Learn some information and believe it. Saved by grace alone through faith in the finished work of Christ.

Oh, that this were true! But Jesus said,

Matthew 7:13-14
13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Both Christ and the apostle Paul paint a picture of the lost person, bound in sin, that indicates that "learn some information and believe it" is impossible when it comes to the Gospel. The lost person is caught in the grip of the World, the Flesh and the devil (Ephesians 2:1-3), an enemy toward God by their wicked works (Colossians 1:21), "foolish, disobedient, deceived" (Titus 3:3) and so, unable simply to "believe."

God must act, drawing the sinner to Christ, the Savior (John 6:44), imparting repentance to him (2 Timothy 2:25), convicting him of his sin (John 16:8), illuminating his mind to the Truth (John 14:26) so that the lost person might then be able to choose the Savior and the salvation that he is (1 John 5:11-12).

After you did it, all that remains is to spread the good news to all people in all corners of the world out of love, gratitude and moral duty.

No. What remains is to know God (John 17:3; Philippians 3:7-10), to come to love Him through that knowledge more and more (John 4:16-19), and in loving Him to come to enjoy Him above all else (Psalms 34:8; Psalms 16:11), living naturally and enthusiastically to His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). Evangelism comes out of this process after the believer has matured in their experience of God and knowledge of His truth. It is love, though, not duty, that is to be the sole motivation for spreading the Good News to the four corners of the world (1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Matthew 22:36-38).

This salvation method seems pretty weird to me on one hand, on another hand this idea of the good news and undeserved love of God is very powerful. People feel so relieved and changed. Talking about the sincere and genuine ones; as in any faith there are those who pretend or do it for money or think they do it right, but in fact aren’t really convinced etc. These days it seems in the Western society secular thought is the most powerful and overwhelmed every other idea (Islam being pretty resilient it seems against conformism)

Actually, there is these days a constant departure of Muslims from the faith, either leaving it to adopt another religious perspective, or becoming militantly atheistic, as in the case of Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Most Muslims remain Muslim for fear of the persecution and even death that awaits them should they apostatize. Remove this threat and many Muslims can't leave the faith fast enough.

The Christian Church in the West has grown deeply secular, infested with relativism and post-modernist skepticism, even embracing woke ideology and Marxist Critical Theory. Hopefully, those segments of the Church overtaken by such philosophies will collapse and dissolve, leaving a much smaller but far healthier community of believers to continue on, no longer plagued by so many corrupting "tares" within its ranks.

Non-evangelical seem to say it’s not enough to have faith, you need a lifetime of worship and dedication to obeying God’s commands.

And in this become just like every other religion trying to reach God by self-effort. But if one reaches God by this means, what need is there of a Savior? Doesn't one essentially save oneself? It seems so to me...

It’s like faith and works together, which is a bit contradictory. But I get it, as it’s a deeper and more complex understanding how life works perhaps. It’s less weird actually, because it seems more logical and fair to me, and probably aligns better with the Biblical teaching of both faith in heart and high ethics in behaviour.

Does it align better with biblical teaching? I don't think so... See above.

Can you please define what is the purpose of life according to Christian teaching? Overall in most general terms, and more detailed for everyday happenings and relations. Big picture and more practical.

See above.

 

[Clare73]

Hello.

A big question for all people is what is the purpose of my life? As in the Ecclesiastes it says, we all die and everything we work for is inherited by people who didn’t earn it. Eat, drink and be merry as it’s the only sense we can make out of this life.

Reading the Bible, listening to church preaching or talking with Christians it seems the main purpose of life is to get to Heaven, a happy eternal Paradise. Because the other alternative of being tormented in endless Hell is less desirable to say the least. Carrot and stick. The good old dualism of existence. God and the devil, life and death, reward and punishment, good and bad.

According to Evangelical denominations, it seems to be easy enough by praying a short prayer with faith and it seals the deal. You are born again and guaranteed Heaven no matter what as Jesus’s blood washes and makes you perfect in the eyes of God.

Not a hard thing to do. Learn some information and believe it. Saved by grace alone through faith in the finished work of Christ.

After you did it, all that remains is to spread the good news to all people in all corners of the world out of love, gratitude and moral duty.

This salvation method seems pretty weird to me on one hand, on another hand this idea of the good news and undeserved love of God is very powerful. People feel so relieved and changed. Talking about the sincere and genuine ones; as in any faith there are those who pretend or do it for money or think they do it right, but in fact aren’t really convinced etc. These days it seems in the Western society secular thought is the most powerful and overwhelmed every other idea (Islam being pretty resilient it seems against conformism)

Non-evangelical seem to say it’s not enough to have faith, you need a lifetime of worship and dedication to obeying God’s commands. I’m not sure I understand this idea well. It’s like faith and works together, which is a bit contradictory. But I get it, as it’s a deeper and more complex understanding how life works perhaps. It’s less weird actually, because it seems more logical and fair to me, and probably aligns better with the Biblical teaching of both faith in heart and high ethics in behaviour.

Anyways.

Can you please define what is the purpose of life according to Christian teaching? Overall in most general terms, and more detailed for everyday happenings and relations. Big picture and more practical.

To know God. . .to love him. . .to serve him.

In this is deep peace and joy.

 

[bling]

Hello.

A big question for all people is what is the purpose of my life? As in the Ecclesiastes it says, we all die and everything we work for is inherited by people who didn’t earn it. Eat, drink and be merry as it’s the only sense we can make out of this life.

Reading the Bible, listening to church preaching or talking with Christians it seems the main purpose of life is to get to Heaven, a happy eternal Paradise. Because the other alternative of being tormented in endless Hell is less desirable to say the least. Carrot and stick. The good old dualism of existence. God and the devil, life and death, reward and punishment, good and bad.

According to Evangelical denominations, it seems to be easy enough by praying a short prayer with faith and it seals the deal. You are born again and guaranteed Heaven no matter what as Jesus’s blood washes and makes you perfect in the eyes of God.

Not a hard thing to do. Learn some information and believe it. Saved by grace alone through faith in the finished work of Christ.

After you did it, all that remains is to spread the good news to all people in all corners of the world out of love, gratitude and moral duty.

This salvation method seems pretty weird to me on one hand, on another hand this idea of the good news and undeserved love of God is very powerful. People feel so relieved and changed. Talking about the sincere and genuine ones; as in any faith there are those who pretend or do it for money or think they do it right, but in fact aren’t really convinced etc. These days it seems in the Western society secular thought is the most powerful and overwhelmed every other idea (Islam being pretty resilient it seems against conformism)

Non-evangelical seem to say it’s not enough to have faith, you need a lifetime of worship and dedication to obeying God’s commands. I’m not sure I understand this idea well. It’s like faith and works together, which is a bit contradictory. But I get it, as it’s a deeper and more complex understanding how life works perhaps. It’s less weird actually, because it seems more logical and fair to me, and probably aligns better with the Biblical teaching of both faith in heart and high ethics in behaviour.

Anyways.

Can you please define what is the purpose of life according to Christian teaching? Overall in most general terms, and more detailed for everyday happenings and relations. Big picture and more practical.

I did not see your question earlier and others seem to be leading down the wrong path, so please ask further questions.
Everything needs to start with the objective.

If there is this eternal intelligence it would be at the epitome of the best it could be and not in the process of improvement. It would be the ultimate bad or good but not somewhere in-between. Why be bad when He can be good just as easily? The ultimate “good” would be what is called Godly type Love (to be defined later) and is a totally unselfish type Love. Since this God would be able to direct our thinking, why would He have us think of him as being totally bad, when He could make us think bad was good and thus, He would be worthy of praise? If God were bad and we praise a “Good God” than we are not praising Him.



The difference and issues begin with misunderstanding of the objective. Most Christians like: Man’s objective is to “bring glory to God” and have scripture references to support that objective, but a person can take any commandment of God given in scripture and have Biblical support for call that command: “Man’s objective”. We are certainly commanded to do that command, so why is it not man’s objective?

There are the two superior commands which all other commands are subordinate to and combined would be like: “Love God (and secondly others) with all your heart, soul, mind, and energy.” That appears to be man’s “Mission Statement”. The huge problem with fulfilling that “Mission Statement” is the fact that the “Love” needed would have to be huge, way beyond anything man could develop, learn, deserve, earn, pay back, be instinctive to man, or somehow just be forced upon humans.

Thus, the reason you have free will, is because it is required for you to complete your earthly objective.

This messed up world which includes satan roaming around is not here for your pleasure, but to help you become like God Himself in that you have the unique, unbelievable Godly type Love (God himself is Love).

There are just somethings even an all-powerful Creator cannot do (there are things impossible to do), like create another Christ, since Christ has always existed, the big impossibility for us is; create humans with instinctive Godly type Love, since Godly type Love is not instinctive. Godly type love has to be the result of a free will decision by the being, to make it the person’s Love apart from God. In other words: If the Love was in a human from the human’s creation it would be a robotic type love and not a Godly type Love. Also, if God “forces” this Love on a person (Kind a like a shotgun wedding) it would not be “loving” on God’s part and the love forced on the person would not be Godly type Love. This Love has to be the result of a free will moral choice with real alternatives (for humans those alternatives include the perceived pleasures of sin for a season.)

Read the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, the young son was generously given more then he could handle (like most of us today), which the father would realize. The prodigal son returned to his father, not out of “Love”, but selfishly wanting a job he did not deserve or should even ask for. Just because the son became just willing to accept pure undeserved charity from the father he hated, allowed the father to shower him with gifts. God is that way with you.

God has created beings to shower them with the greatest gifts possible, the greatest gift being having a Love like His.

If there is this Creator of the universe out there, His “creations” could not really “do” anything for Him, so this Creator would have to be seen as a Giver (Unselfish Lover) and not trying to “get” something from His creation.

Why would God have a totally unselfish type of Love, since He personally would not get anything out of it? If God’s “Love” is some kind of knee jerk reaction, then it is really meaningless (something like; gravity which is nice to have, but everyone automatically has it). God Loves us in spite of what we have done, who we are or what we will do, so it has to be by His choice.



God would create the right universe for the sake of the individuals that will accept His gift (the most powerful force [Love] in all universes, since that force [Love] compels even God to do all He does) and thus we become like He is (the greatest gift He could give).

What keeps the all-powerful Creator from just giving whatever He wants to his creation, eliminating the need for free will and this earthly time.

This Love is way beyond anything humans could develop, obtain, learn, earn, pay back or ever deserve, so it must be the result of a gift that is accepted or rejected (a free will choice).

This “Love” is much more than just an emotional feeling; it is God Himself (God is Love). If you see this Love you see God.

All mature adults do stuff that hurts others (this is called sin) these transgressions weigh on them, burden them, to the point the individual seeks relief (at least early on before they allow their hearts to be hardened). Lots of “alternatives” can be tried for relief, but the only true relief comes from God with forgiveness (this forgiveness is pure charity [grace/mercy/Love]). The correct humble acceptance of this Forgiveness (Charity) automatically will result in Love (we are taught by Jesus and our own experience “…he that is forgiven much will Love much…”). Sin is thus made hugely significant, so there will be an unbelievable huge debt to be forgiven of and thus result in an unbelievable huge “Love” (Godly type Love).

Sin has purpose in helping willing humans in fulfilling their objective. God does not like it but allows it.

Unfortunately, I, along with others, needed to see and know the brevity of life in order to respond sooner than later. Time is not on our side, since we do not get better, but worse. If everyone had at least 60 years, there would be no rush to repent and repenting does not get easier with time. We all tend to spiral down into the pigsty of life (like the prodigal son) and that does help, if when we do come to our senses we turn to the Father, but that does not have to take 60 years.

Let me just give you an example of How God works to help willing individuals.

All mature adults do stuff that hurts others (this is called sin) these transgressions weigh on them burden them to the point the individual seeks relief (at least early on before they allow their hearts to be hardened). Lots of “alternatives” can be tried for relief, but the only true relief comes from God with forgiveness (this forgiveness is pure charity [grace/mercy/Love]). The correct humble acceptance of this Forgiveness (Charity) automatically will result in Love (we are taught by Jesus and our own experience “…he that is forgiven much will Love much…”). Sin is thus made hugely significant, so there will be an unbelievable huge debt to be forgiven of and thus result in an unbelievable huge “Love” (Godly type Love).

If the nonbeliever had knowledge of God's existence that person would not need faith in God's existence, but faith is needed for humility and humility is needed to humbly accept pure charity and the only way to get Godly type Love is through accepting it as pure charity in the form of forgiveness.

This also shows a “need” for man to sin.

That is an introduction to the huge topic of Love.

 

[The Official Spokesman]

I would say our purpose is in faith, and in faith to bear fruit, like a seed's purpose is to grow and bear fruit.

Galatians 5:5-23

Bible Gateway passage: Galatians 5 - New International Version

Freedom in Christ
5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

A School of Sin: Rethinking the Purpose of Suffering in Christian Eschatology

Introduction

For centuries, Christians have pondered the meaning of suffering, the purpose of the Tribulation, and the significance of Judgment Day in God’s divine plan. A fresh theory has emerged, positing that human life serves as a “School of Sin,” where people learn firsthand the profound consequences of sin as a preparation for a spiritually enlightened eternity. This perspective challenges us to consider the Tribulation, typically seen as a period of ultimate misfortune, as an experience designed by God to be among His highest blessings.

The Immediate Judgment Day:
A Personal Apocalypse

In conversations about Judgment Day, it’s often assumed to be a distant event where all humanity faces divine judgment simultaneously. However, another interpretation suggests that from the moment of death, each soul experiences Judgment Day as an immediate and personal event. According to Christian doctrine, death places the soul into a state of “soul sleep,” an unconscious state with no sense of time. From this perspective, the deceased experiences no passage of time between their death and judgment, leading to the sensation of an instant transition from the end of life to standing before Christ. This view reframes the experience of Judgment Day as an individual encounter, imminent for each person, which offers a new urgency to the choices made in life.

The Role of the Tribulation:
Witnesses to the Depths of Sin

If each individual’s “Judgment Day” is immediate upon death, then what, we might ask, is the purpose of the Tribulation? Here arises an intriguing answer: the survivors of the Tribulation may serve a specific, divine purpose. Traditionally, those alive during the Tribulation are seen as unfortunate, living through a period marked by extreme suffering, upheaval, and challenges to faith. However, this theory suggests that those who experience the Tribulation do so not by accident or mere misfortune but because of a unique calling and purpose.

The concept of the Tribulation survivors being chosen as final witnesses of sin suggests that their endurance and resilience allow them to gain an advanced understanding of the true depth and destructive nature of sin. By enduring the darkest trials humanity will face, they are profoundly transformed and enlightened, gaining a level of spiritual maturity and insight that will be essential in the Millennial Reign to follow.

Life as a "School of Sin”

To fully grasp the meaning of life as a preparation for eternity, this theory presents human existence as a “School of Sin.” The notion is that humanity, endowed with free will, is uniquely placed in a world of sin and suffering as a means to fully understand its consequences. Life is thus a divine education: by experiencing the sorrow, loss, and pain caused by sin, humanity is enlightened, gaining an understanding that angels, who do not experience sin in this way, cannot achieve.

In this “school,” humans learn lessons in resilience, humility, and empathy, understanding the true nature of grace and redemption by experiencing the absence of them. As free beings, the choice to pursue God gains profound significance, for it comes after enduring the consequences of sin and consciously choosing salvation. In short, this earthly experience, though fraught with anguish, becomes a divine preparation—a necessary immersion in the consequences of sin, leading the soul toward enlightenment and readying it for its final destination.

The Final Role of Tribulation Survivors: Enlightened Custodians of the Millennial Reign

From this perspective, those who survive the Tribulation are not merely spared for practical purposes but are prepared to become guardians of the new world to follow. The extreme trials they face are not an end but a form of ultimate preparation, equipping them with insights others may not possess. Their experiences provide them with a refined spiritual maturity and a deep-seated understanding of sin’s effects that will allow them to lead humanity with compassion, wisdom, and an unbreakable resolve against sin.

This experience uniquely prepares them to repopulate the earth and guide humanity into the Millennial Reign, ensuring that this new era is founded upon an enlightened perspective born out of witnessing humanity’s darkest hour.

Conclusion

In this vision, the Tribulation becomes one of God’s highest blessings, not simply a time of suffering but a transformative experience designed for those who are chosen to lead humanity forward. Those who endure it are tasked with a sacred purpose: to become living testimonies of the consequences of sin and the power of faith, offering hope and guidance for a renewed world. They are not merely survivors but exemplars of resilience and faith, bearers of a profound spiritual enlightenment, uniquely prepared for the divine honor of stewarding the earth in God’s restored kingdom.

Through this lens, life’s trials and tribulations are reframed not as punishments but as the highest blessings—essential steps in a divine curriculum that prepares each soul for eternity. In this “School of Sin,” the trials of life serve to educate, refine, and ultimately transform, leading humanity toward a final purpose that, while hidden, is profoundly sacred.

Bible passages that refer to the idea of soul sleep.

Matthew 9:24
Mark 5:39
John 11:11-14
Acts 7:20
1 Corinthians 15:51, 52
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
2 Peter 3:4

Explanation of Soul Sleep

Soul Sleep

By Tal Davis “To be or not to be: That is the question.” William Shakespeare One … Soul Sleep Read More »

www.namb.net

%20as,of%20unconscious%20state%20of%20nonbeing.

 

[mourningdove~]

The best definition I ever heard:

"The purpose of life is to know, love, and serve God in this world so that one can be happy with God in the next."

(From the Baltimore Catechism)

 

[FishofFaith]

Hello.

A big question for all people is what is the purpose of my life? As in the Ecclesiastes it says, we all die and everything we work for is inherited by people who didn’t earn it. Eat, drink and be merry as it’s the only sense we can make out of this life.

Reading the Bible, listening to church preaching or talking with Christians it seems the main purpose of life is to get to Heaven, a happy eternal Paradise. Because the other alternative of being tormented in endless Hell is less desirable to say the least. Carrot and stick. The good old dualism of existence. God and the devil, life and death, reward and punishment, good and bad.

According to Evangelical denominations, it seems to be easy enough by praying a short prayer with faith and it seals the deal. You are born again and guaranteed Heaven no matter what as Jesus’s blood washes and makes you perfect in the eyes of God.

Not a hard thing to do. Learn some information and believe it. Saved by grace alone through faith in the finished work of Christ.

After you did it, all that remains is to spread the good news to all people in all corners of the world out of love, gratitude and moral duty.

This salvation method seems pretty weird to me on one hand, on another hand this idea of the good news and undeserved love of God is very powerful. People feel so relieved and changed. Talking about the sincere and genuine ones; as in any faith there are those who pretend or do it for money or think they do it right, but in fact aren’t really convinced etc. These days it seems in the Western society secular thought is the most powerful and overwhelmed every other idea (Islam being pretty resilient it seems against conformism)

Non-evangelical seem to say it’s not enough to have faith, you need a lifetime of worship and dedication to obeying God’s commands. I’m not sure I understand this idea well. It’s like faith and works together, which is a bit contradictory. But I get it, as it’s a deeper and more complex understanding how life works perhaps. It’s less weird actually, because it seems more logical and fair to me, and probably aligns better with the Biblical teaching of both faith in heart and high ethics in behaviour.

Anyways.

Can you please define what is the purpose of life according to Christian teaching? Overall in most general terms, and more detailed for everyday happenings and relations. Big picture and more practical.

The purpose of life encompasses developing a loving relationship with God, serving others, living fully through faith in Jesus Christ, being responsible stewards of creation, seeking guidance from scripture, utilizing personal talents for good works, and embracing an eternal perspective on existence.

 

[bling]

A School of Sin: Rethinking the Purpose of Suffering in Christian Eschatology

Introduction

For centuries, Christians have pondered the meaning of suffering, the purpose of the Tribulation, and the significance of Judgment Day in God’s divine plan. A fresh theory has emerged, positing that human life serves as a “School of Sin,” where people learn firsthand the profound consequences of sin as a preparation for a spiritually enlightened eternity. This perspective challenges us to consider the Tribulation, typically seen as a period of ultimate misfortune, as an experience designed by God to be among His highest blessings.

The Immediate Judgment Day:
A Personal Apocalypse

In conversations about Judgment Day, it’s often assumed to be a distant event where all humanity faces divine judgment simultaneously. However, another interpretation suggests that from the moment of death, each soul experiences Judgment Day as an immediate and personal event. According to Christian doctrine, death places the soul into a state of “soul sleep,” an unconscious state with no sense of time. From this perspective, the deceased experiences no passage of time between their death and judgment, leading to the sensation of an instant transition from the end of life to standing before Christ. This view reframes the experience of Judgment Day as an individual encounter, imminent for each person, which offers a new urgency to the choices made in life.

The Role of the Tribulation:
Witnesses to the Depths of Sin

If each individual’s “Judgment Day” is immediate upon death, then what, we might ask, is the purpose of the Tribulation? Here arises an intriguing answer: the survivors of the Tribulation may serve a specific, divine purpose. Traditionally, those alive during the Tribulation are seen as unfortunate, living through a period marked by extreme suffering, upheaval, and challenges to faith. However, this theory suggests that those who experience the Tribulation do so not by accident or mere misfortune but because of a unique calling and purpose.

The concept of the Tribulation survivors being chosen as final witnesses of sin suggests that their endurance and resilience allow them to gain an advanced understanding of the true depth and destructive nature of sin. By enduring the darkest trials humanity will face, they are profoundly transformed and enlightened, gaining a level of spiritual maturity and insight that will be essential in the Millennial Reign to follow.

Life as a "School of Sin”

To fully grasp the meaning of life as a preparation for eternity, this theory presents human existence as a “School of Sin.” The notion is that humanity, endowed with free will, is uniquely placed in a world of sin and suffering as a means to fully understand its consequences. Life is thus a divine education: by experiencing the sorrow, loss, and pain caused by sin, humanity is enlightened, gaining an understanding that angels, who do not experience sin in this way, cannot achieve.

In this “school,” humans learn lessons in resilience, humility, and empathy, understanding the true nature of grace and redemption by experiencing the absence of them. As free beings, the choice to pursue God gains profound significance, for it comes after enduring the consequences of sin and consciously choosing salvation. In short, this earthly experience, though fraught with anguish, becomes a divine preparation—a necessary immersion in the consequences of sin, leading the soul toward enlightenment and readying it for its final destination.

The Final Role of Tribulation Survivors: Enlightened Custodians of the Millennial Reign

From this perspective, those who survive the Tribulation are not merely spared for practical purposes but are prepared to become guardians of the new world to follow. The extreme trials they face are not an end but a form of ultimate preparation, equipping them with insights others may not possess. Their experiences provide them with a refined spiritual maturity and a deep-seated understanding of sin’s effects that will allow them to lead humanity with compassion, wisdom, and an unbreakable resolve against sin.

This experience uniquely prepares them to repopulate the earth and guide humanity into the Millennial Reign, ensuring that this new era is founded upon an enlightened perspective born out of witnessing humanity’s darkest hour.

Conclusion

In this vision, the Tribulation becomes one of God’s highest blessings, not simply a time of suffering but a transformative experience designed for those who are chosen to lead humanity forward. Those who endure it are tasked with a sacred purpose: to become living testimonies of the consequences of sin and the power of faith, offering hope and guidance for a renewed world. They are not merely survivors but exemplars of resilience and faith, bearers of a profound spiritual enlightenment, uniquely prepared for the divine honor of stewarding the earth in God’s restored kingdom.

Through this lens, life’s trials and tribulations are reframed not as punishments but as the highest blessings—essential steps in a divine curriculum that prepares each soul for eternity. In this “School of Sin,” the trials of life serve to educate, refine, and ultimately transform, leading humanity toward a final purpose that, while hidden, is profoundly sacred.

Bible passages that refer to the idea of soul sleep.

Matthew 9:24
Mark 5:39
John 11:11-14
Acts 7:20
1 Corinthians 15:51, 52
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
2 Peter 3:4

Explanation of Soul Sleep

Soul Sleep

By Tal Davis “To be or not to be: That is the question.” William Shakespeare One … Soul Sleep Read More »

www.namb.net

%20as,of%20unconscious%20state%20of%20nonbeing.

You might read my post 33.
This "tribulation time", is not addressed in scripture and really goes against, "this messed up world being the very best place for willing individuals to fulfill their earthly objective." This seems to be the invention of man to try and come up with a better place.

 

[throughfiierytrial]

Hello.

A big question for all people is what is the purpose of my life? As in the Ecclesiastes it says, we all die and everything we work for is inherited by people who didn’t earn it. Eat, drink and be merry as it’s the only sense we can make out of this life.

Reading the Bible, listening to church preaching or talking with Christians it seems the main purpose of life is to get to Heaven, a happy eternal Paradise. Because the other alternative of being tormented in endless Hell is less desirable to say the least. Carrot and stick. The good old dualism of existence. God and the devil, life and death, reward and punishment, good and bad.

According to Evangelical denominations, it seems to be easy enough by praying a short prayer with faith and it seals the deal. You are born again and guaranteed Heaven no matter what as Jesus’s blood washes and makes you perfect in the eyes of God.

Not a hard thing to do. Learn some information and believe it. Saved by grace alone through faith in the finished work of Christ.

After you did it, all that remains is to spread the good news to all people in all corners of the world out of love, gratitude and moral duty.

This salvation method seems pretty weird to me on one hand, on another hand this idea of the good news and undeserved love of God is very powerful. People feel so relieved and changed. Talking about the sincere and genuine ones; as in any faith there are those who pretend or do it for money or think they do it right, but in fact aren’t really convinced etc. These days it seems in the Western society secular thought is the most powerful and overwhelmed every other idea (Islam being pretty resilient it seems against conformism)

Non-evangelical seem to say it’s not enough to have faith, you need a lifetime of worship and dedication to obeying God’s commands. I’m not sure I understand this idea well. It’s like faith and works together, which is a bit contradictory. But I get it, as it’s a deeper and more complex understanding how life works perhaps. It’s less weird actually, because it seems more logical and fair to me, and probably aligns better with the Biblical teaching of both faith in heart and high ethics in behaviour.

Anyways.

Can you please define what is the purpose of life according to Christian teaching? Overall in most general terms, and more detailed for everyday happenings and relations. Big picture and more practical.

As for Ecclesiastes teachings on the meaning of life, the book arrives at a conclusion:
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14:
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

 

[CoreyD]

Hello.

A big question for all people is what is the purpose of my life? As in the Ecclesiastes it says, we all die and everything we work for is inherited by people who didn’t earn it. Eat, drink and be merry as it’s the only sense we can make out of this life.

Reading the Bible, listening to church preaching or talking with Christians it seems the main purpose of life is to get to Heaven, a happy eternal Paradise. Because the other alternative of being tormented in endless Hell is less desirable to say the least. Carrot and stick. The good old dualism of existence. God and the devil, life and death, reward and punishment, good and bad.

According to Evangelical denominations, it seems to be easy enough by praying a short prayer with faith and it seals the deal. You are born again and guaranteed Heaven no matter what as Jesus’s blood washes and makes you perfect in the eyes of God.

Not a hard thing to do. Learn some information and believe it. Saved by grace alone through faith in the finished work of Christ.

After you did it, all that remains is to spread the good news to all people in all corners of the world out of love, gratitude and moral duty.

This salvation method seems pretty weird to me on one hand, on another hand this idea of the good news and undeserved love of God is very powerful. People feel so relieved and changed. Talking about the sincere and genuine ones; as in any faith there are those who pretend or do it for money or think they do it right, but in fact aren’t really convinced etc. These days it seems in the Western society secular thought is the most powerful and overwhelmed every other idea (Islam being pretty resilient it seems against conformism)

Non-evangelical seem to say it’s not enough to have faith, you need a lifetime of worship and dedication to obeying God’s commands. I’m not sure I understand this idea well. It’s like faith and works together, which is a bit contradictory. But I get it, as it’s a deeper and more complex understanding how life works perhaps. It’s less weird actually, because it seems more logical and fair to me, and probably aligns better with the Biblical teaching of both faith in heart and high ethics in behaviour.

Anyways.

Can you please define what is the purpose of life according to Christian teaching? Overall in most general terms, and more detailed for everyday happenings and relations. Big picture and more practical.

I can tell you what the purpose of life is, according to the Bible.
God created humans to enjoy the gift of life, and a close relationship with their life giver.
Scriptures:
Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:7-25; Isaiah 45:18; Acts 17:24-28; James 1:17

God's will has not changed on the basis that man deviated from God's will. Genesis 22:18; Isaiah 9:6, 7; Isaiah 65:17-25; Psalm 37:11, 29; Matthew 6:9, 10; Ephesians 1:10; Revelation 21:3-5

We can see God's purpose today, with eyes of understanding.
How our earth is created, and the things that bring us pleasure, both in a physical an spiritual way. are evidence man was created to enjoy life in harmony with the arrangement of God.

 

[bling]

As for Ecclesiastes teachings on the meaning of life, the book arrives at a conclusion:
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14:
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

What would a Jew under the Law, have to say?