Thursday, February 18, 2016

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MORE MEANING IN LIFE?

Philippians 1:10-11

so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

What Is God’s Meaning for Our Lives?

According to Isaiah 43:7, everyone who is called by His name was created for God’s glory in whom He formed and made. We know we are referred to as the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3) and that we are God’s own handiwork (Ephesians 2:10a). If the heavens declare God’s glory (Psalm 19:1-2), does that mean the creation was created to glorify God too and, since we’re part of His creation, that we were meant to glorify God? It would seem to fit what many Scriptures in the Bible say.

Created for God-Glorifying Works

Did you know that we were created as God’s handiwork and that He appointed us in advance for good works (Ephesians 2:10)? We are actually His instruments who were cleansed for special purposes, made holy, to be useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work that He sets before us (2 Timothy 2:11). Jesus told the disciples that He appointed them so that they should go and bear fruit, and that fruit is intended to glorify God (John 15:16). If you’re looking for meaning in life, are you searching for it in this world or from the trustiest of sources–God? Whatever we do, we should do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31) because that’s why we were created.

Created in God’s Image

Mankind was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), and we are intended to be in the image of our Creator (Colossians 3:10). That’s why we need to put on the new self. We were created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24), and what counts is this new creation in Christ (Galatians 6:15). No wonder the psalmist says we should praise Him and glorify His magnificent name (Psalm 86:12). Over time we are being transformed into the image of God. So why keep looking for the meaning of life in this world? We already know it’s in doing good for God’s glory and to be remade or refashioned into the image of Christ, day by day.

A Closing Prayer

Father, I am so far short of Your glory (Romans 3:23). I need Your help to become more like Your Great Son, Jesus Christ, so that whatever I do or say will glorify Him, for You desire glory for Your Son, and I know that I should, too. I pray for this in Your Great Son’s name, Jesus Christ.

Amen

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