Editor’s note: this is the first post in a four part mini-series of devotionals that all center on the topic of worldview. Each post will examine one element of what constitutes a worldview and show how the Christian worldview most accurately describes life as we see it.
Last time we said that a worldview to has to answer four big, basic questions, and today, number two, Meaning; is there purpose to life?
Other worldviews would say no, there is no such thing as a ‘why’ question…we are but a brief spark in infinite blackness. That sounds kind of dreary and dull, no? One day, our spark will go out, as does a match, then, (insert noise of person blowing out match here as you so desire), it’s all gone.
Philosopher Bertrand Russell said this…
“…only on the firm foundation of unyielding despair, can the soul’s habitation henceforth be safely built.”
Macbeth seemed to agree, didn’t he…
… Out, Out, brief candle
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
and then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot. Full of sound and fury signifying nothing.
How sad. Nothing but despair, no meaning, no point…bleak.
Now I don’t know about you, but plodding through life with despair as your major outcome, the thing that your life is all about…no thanks.
Others would say that God gave the universe meaning and purpose, but we can never know that purpose…we must simply obey and do good.
But what does the God of the Bible say? Almighty God through His Word tells us that there is meaning to life…to glorify Him, to know Him…
Our very purpose is relationship, the meaning of our life is relationship…with God Himself…revealed in the person of Jesus (John 10.30, 14.9, Colossians 1.15-20).
Apologist Ravi Zacharias states
“The person of God revealed in Christ is the answer to life. And those who deny the existence of God and the Saviour provided by Him ultimately end up with no moral law, no hope, no meaning, and if they are wrong, no recovery.”
As believers, as followers of Jesus, we have a special place in bringing Glory to God. We are to begin glorifying Him by our life as we live it right now. Not when our earthly life ends…right…now. Being sure you’re going to heaven is great, if you’re dying. If you’re living, what do we do?
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
(1 Corinthians 10.31).
The Bible has specific instructions in many places on how to run our lives. It tells us how to run our marriage, our business affairs, our employed lives, and how to conduct ourselves in society and in the church…all in a way that brings glory to God through Jesus Christ.
So what does this mean for us?
This marvelous truth has important implications for all of life’s decisions. We cannot live as if we are independent and free to do whatever we might decide to do. If we are Christians, we don’t own ourselves (1 Peter 1.18-19).
When all of this is taken together, a balanced Christian life will emerge. We will not be either lazy or workaholics; we will have an ordered family with a loving atmosphere; we will serve God in every way as we week to know Him better.
This is how life is to be lived — our life is not separated into our “private, religious life” and our “secular” life. The life of a Christian is to be one seamless tapestry, with all parts working together to glorify Him who made us, Him who saved us, and Him who changes us.
