The Bible’s Answer for Those Seeking Fulfilment, Joy and Purpose
It is highly significant that the Bible begins with God who created the universe and then put man on earth.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
“Then God said, let us make man in our image, in our likeness and let them rule . . .” Genesis 1:26
God determined that there should always be a people who would live according to God’s wishes and so fulfil his aims. God taught this people,
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one, the LORD is one.”
We were made to live under the authority of our creator. He continues,
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home . . .” Exodus 6:4-7
Even God’s people have a tendency to drift away from this relationship. When Joshua had led God’s people into the promised land he reminds them of all that God has done for them but then adds that they must make a decision about who is sovereign, themselves and the gods around them or the LORD himself.
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped . . . and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods you forefathers served or the Gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:14-15
When mankind, represented by Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden of Eden they had both purpose and joy. When they rejected God they lost both. Humanity now has the option to return to live under the authority of God who has revealed himself in the person of Jesus. By his own death, Jesus has enabled us again to live in partnership with our creator because he has taken on himself the penalty and consequences of our sins.
One of the great Messianic psalms looks forwards to the day when the Messiah, God’s chosen king, would enter his world,
“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a sceptre of justice will be the sceptre of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Psalm 45:6-7
John the Baptist experienced this same joy because he lived under the authority of God. He saw his life as being fulfilled by being in a relationship with his Lord and Saviour. He said,
“I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him. The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegrooms voice. That joy is mine, and is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:28-30
The apostle Paul also turned to live under the authority of God. He then understood that purpose, satisfaction and truth can only be found together in the person of God’s Messiah. He concluded,
“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
This world is just a trial run. The real world is the one to come where we will live in full harmony with our creator.
BVP
