Introduction
The purpose of human life in Christianity has been discussed for centuries and is a complex and deeply important question. At the heart of the debate is an exploration of God’s ultimate plan for us as his creation, and an understanding of why we exist and what it is that we should be striving towards in our lives. This article will delve deeper into this question by exploring the viewpoints of modern Christian theologians and scholars, and looking at aspects of the Bible and church tradition which shed light on what it means to live a life of purpose according to Christian faith.
What does the Bible say about the purpose of human life?
The Bible is filled with references to the purpose of human life, as well as stories and examples which demonstrate the importance of striving towards a greater good. In Genesis 1:26-28, God speaks of man’s creation in his image and assigns us a clear purpose – to ‘rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals on the land.’ We are to use our capacity for reflection and understanding to make the world around us a better place through acts of love, justice and mercy. This is not only our primary purpose but also our greatest achievement, as a demonstration of our devotion and faithfulness towards God.
The New Testament also highlights the importance of our purpose as we are instructed to seek a ‘kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy’ through our work and deeds on the Earth (Romans 14:17). Jesus himself emphasise this in his teachings, calling on us to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
How should we live our lives?
From these scriptures, it is clear that Christian faith calls us to strive for a greater purpose in our lives, over and above our own interests and desires. We are encouraged to focus our efforts on fulfilling the ultimate goals of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, such as charity, justice and mercy. As Christians, we must strive to lead our lives in a way that reflects and upholds the principles of the Bible, and the will of the Almighty.
The Bible also beckons us to love our neighbours as ourselves, and to model our own behaviour and conduct on the life of Jesus Christ. We are instructed to be compassionate and loving towards all God’s creatures, and to look out for the welfare of those less fortunate than us. Furthermore, we should strive to be ‘ambassadors for Christ’ in our own communities, as a shining example of godly behaviour and service to others.
What does the church say about the purpose of life?
The church has long held the view that life for a Christian should ultimately be centred on serving God, and dedicating our lives to his service. This means that we should devote ourselves to prayer and worship, as well as study and reflection on the scriptures. Additionally, it calls us to put this faith into action, through service to our community and the world around us.
The church also therefore encourages us to think beyond our own individual desires and needs, working instead towards a greater good that serves God’s higher purpose. We should also work to foster relationships with others and build bridges of understanding and kindness, allowing us to view the world with a Godly perspective and to live out our lives with wisdom and purpose.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the purpose of human life in Christianity can be seen as an exploration of God’s ultimate plan for us as his creation, and an understanding of why we exist and what it is that we should strive towards in our lives. From the Bible and church tradition, it is clear that a life of purpose and meaning should be based on loving our neighbours, serving the community and looking out for the welfare of others. Additionally, our focus should be on fulfilling the ultimate goals of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, such as charity, justice and mercy. As Christians, it is our duty to strive for this higher purpose in our work and deeds on the Earth, living out our faith by following the example of Jesus Christ and becoming ‘ambassadors for Christ’ in our own communities.
The Role of Prayer
Prayer is an essential part of the Christian faith and is vital to understanding the purpose of human life in Christianity. Prayer is not only a way to speak directly to God but also a mechanism to search within oneself to uncover a deeper understanding of the meaning and purpose of life. God asks us to pray, seek wisdom and guidance, and let Him guide our destiny. Prayer also serves as a reminder of our faith and commitment to God, allowing us to stay true to the purpose He has called us to.
Prayer is an opportunity for reflection and repentance, for which God promises to forgive us and welcome us into His Kingdom. Through prayer, we can ask God for strength to carry out His divine mission and to renounce our own selfish desires. Additionally, praying for guidance at critical times can provide us with clarity and insight, leading us to make decisions that are in accordance with God’s will.
The Role of Evangelism
Through evangelism, Christians have the fantastic opportunity to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and to extend the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Ultimately, evangelism can be seen as a powerful calling to serve God, by spreading the love of Christ and His saving grace to those who do not yet understand or accept the Gospel. As Christians, it is our duty to witness to those around us and to be ‘salt and light’ (Matthew 5:13-16) as we bring the Kingdom of Heaven closer to Earth.
The primary purpose of evangelism is to faithfully proclaim the gospel and bring people to repentance and belief in Jesus Christ. Jesus himself was a great evangelist, and his disciples carried on this mission to the ends of the Earth. We are singularly blessed to live in a time when there is such an abundance of opportunity for outreach and for the spread of the gospel. Through evangelism, we can impact not only the lives of individuals but also the course of history, with our actions having far reaching and eternal consequences.
The Role of Stewardship
The purpose of human life in Christianity also entails living for a greater purpose, beyond our own desires and needs. This is known as stewardship, or the responsibility of taking care of the world and its people as a whole. We are called to be agents of righteousness and justice, looking out for the welfare of those less fortunate than us. We should also strive to conserve resources, reduce our carbon footprint and be careful to use the gifts of creation responsibly and thoughtfully.
Stewardship is not just an outward demonstration of faith, but also an inward act of faithfulness to God. We are called to use the gifts of creation in a way that honours God and brings glory to His Name. We should wisely use the resources we have been given, looking to a future where the needs of all of God’s children can be met.
The Role of Community
Christianity calls us to actively seek to build relationships with others and to be inclusive of all God’s creatures. In our churches and communities, we should strive to foster a culture of care, understanding and compassion, and to create an environment of acceptance, hospitality and togetherness. Furthermore, Jesus encourages us to live in community and to care for each other, regardless of cultural, social and economic divides. In this way, we can create a greater sense of purpose and belonging, living out the principles of peace, joy and justice for which Christianity stands for.
The church encourages us to be unifiers and bringers of hope, creating a better world for all people. We should be willing to reach out to others and to seek to build bridges of understanding and friendship. We can also bring people together through our shared values, beliefs and practices, seeking to promote good and to defend those who are in need. Through building community and fostering relationships, we can ensure our own lives meaning and purpose in the service of God.
