Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

True Meaning, Satisfying Purpose, Meaning in Life

LUKE 10:25-28 – And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

Every human being wants happiness. Every human being longs to live with satisfying purpose. Every human being yearns for meaning in their existence. All of these are placed in us by the Creator. He wired us to know and experience all three.

Yet, the only people who will find true happiness, satisfying purpose, and meaning in life will be those changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When sin entered the human experience what left the human experience was the only thing providing true happiness, satisfying purpose and meaning in life – our relationship with God; a relationship of love. And ever since the catastrophic event in the Garden of Eden, our first parents disobeying God, human beings have sought long, hard, and in vain for true happiness, satisfying purpose, and meaning in life in everyone and everything apart from the Lord Jesus (Genesis 3:1-10). Why? Without being reconciled to God, we simply cannot know the Creator who alone brings true happiness, satisfying purpose and meaning in life. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this necessary work by God if we are to know Him and find true happiness, satisfying purpose and meaning in life – For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation (Romans 5:10-11).

It is in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus we are given the power, ability, and even desire to understand, embrace, and experience true happiness, satisfying purpose and meaning in life. But sadly, there are times in the lives of all Christians we lose sight of where these are found. We are not yet glorified. We still feel the grip of the world’s attraction upon us to find happiness, purpose and meaning in life apart from where the Lord tells us all are found.

So, to fight off that temptation, here is a reminder of where we find true happiness, satisfying purpose and meaning in life. It is in today’s scripture. It is loving God. And how do we love Him? Obey Him (John14:15). In a life of obedience to God’s Word, all our cravings, yearnings, and desires are fulfilled because the Word obeyed draws the heart to fellowship with God; the place of true happiness, satisfying purpose and meaning in life.

As we conclude today’s nugget, remind ourselves that we are wired for happiness, purpose and meaning. The Creator made us so. But also remind ourselves all three are found only in the One who wired us for such and that by the pursuit of loving Him by obeying His Word.

PRAYER: “Father, may I strive in all I say, do, and think to pass the test of uncompromising love for You.”

QUOTE: “Nothing is more satisfying and rewarding in life than to live our chief purpose in life–loving God.”

Because of Him,

Pastor Jim