One question that aches in the hearts of many people is what is my life suppose to be. Everyone searches for some purpose in life. There are many philosophies based upon this question. In all of my searching I could only find one answer that scratches my itch. At least in the Eternal Perspective.
When I was younger I met a liberal theologian who commented about my belief in man's total depravity and bondage to sin as being the one thing even his atheistic friend could believe in. Man is not what he is suppose to be. Something is radically wrong with him.
When I started understanding this concept I was liberated because I didn't need to defend myself before any other human. I realized that we were all messed up. No one loved perfectly. No one understood perfectly. No one ever stayed honest in all of his words. Need I say anything about sexual lust?
I wasn't raised reading the Holy Bible so this concept of imperfection had little effect on me until I started examining Creation. Personally, evolution just seemed like a big leap of faith.
Creation seemed to operate on invisible bounderies. A system of laws that were put into action by design. So I then started contemplating who may have done this.
The Historical accounts in Scripture seem to be a resource of information. Reliability has been given to this book by many for historical understanding. Plus its fulfillment of scripture points to it's truthfulness. So I started reading the Holy Bible at age 18. After gaining some knowledge in the scriptures I later started reading other Christian literature and found the question mentioned above answered in the very first part of the Westminster' Catechism.
Question 1: What is the chief and highest end of man? Answer 1: Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God,[1] and fully to enjoy him forever.[2]
1. Rom. 11:36; I Cor. 10:31
2. Psa. 73:24-28
When I started contemplating the Goodness of God and His perfection I realized how much I had found my answer. God is perfectly good in all things. There is no evil in him. We were created to share in his characteristics, but we don't because of our inherit nature to sin. Even in this God has made a way for reconciling us imperfect rebellious creatures to be reconciled and renewed so that we can still share in his goodness. It came at a very high cost though. God became man and took our punishment in the form of His Son Jesus Christ. His perfect justice can still be seen in Christ's atonement for our sin.
So my conclusion is only that of the Ancient Manuscripts. We were created in God's image so that we could be like him. That is a good thing since in him we find perfect goodness. So my hope is that many people will find God's goodness and want to make his goodness known by word and deed. Our purpose in life is to live as God intended for us to live. Holy and blameless reflecting his perfect goodness even in our sinful state.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Mat 5:14-16) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
