Matthew 28:18-20

What Is The Purpose Of Life?

A Question Of Meaning

Ephesians 4:17-24

What Is The Purpose Of Life?

A Question Of Meaning

I had a conversation with a church member the other day about a co-worker of his to whom he was witnessing. This church member spent many hours talking with his co-worker about Christ and the truth of the gospel. This co-worker was so close to accepting Christ, but one issue stood in his way. He was unwilling to give up an old habit of his that he knew was wrong in the eyes of God. To this day (as far as I know), this man has not given his life to Christ.

It is not biblical to invite Jesus to save you from your sins and then not follow Him. There is no separation between making Jesus your Savior and making Jesus your Lord. If you want forgiveness, you have to commit to following Jesus’ teachings and character. As Christians, we have removed the old self of selfishness and put on the new self of righteousness. The old self was full of deceit; the new self is full of holiness. Yes, to be a Christian you do give up your old way of living. And you may give up something you think is important to you, something that defines you and gives you meaning and purpose. But when you come to faith in Jesus Christ, you will realize that Jesus Christ surpasses all the things you thought gave you meaning and purpose. All those old parts of you are worthless compared to knowing Christ and being known by Him.

Ephesians 2:11-22

What Is The Purpose Of Life?

A Question Of Meaning

All are welcome in the family of God. All people can find meaning and purpose with God as our Father and fellow Christians as brothers and sisters. The problems of having fellowship between different ethnicities are nothing new. In Ephesians, the conflict is between the Jews and the Gentiles. We say it that way because the Bible is written mostly from the perspective of Jewish authors. Jews were one group of people and everybody else was a Gentile. The conflict was even more complicated than we realize. There were Jews, Samaritans, Romans, Athenians, Cretans, Egyptians, Ethiopians, Eastern Asians, Western Europeans, etc. When we read in Ephesians 2:19-20 that you are no longer foreigners but citizens with the saints, Paul is not just telling two groups of people to get along. He’s telling everybody to get along. He is telling all ethnicities that we are being built into a holy temple in the Lord together. 

There are no second-class citizens in the Kingdom of God. No matter if you are a minority in your community or the majority, you are equal in the church. No matter if you are white collar, blue collar, or no collar, you are fellow citizens with one another in the Kingdom. Your purpose and meaning can be found in Jesus no matter your background and upbringing. We are one in Christ Jesus.