LIFE: "DO I BELIEVE...?"

Would you like to begin a fascinating discussion? Ask this question: "What is life's purpose?" Ask it in a nonreligious setting and situation. Ask it when you are unlikely to receive Bible class responses. Ask it to a group of Christians who are open and talkative. Then listen to the responses and the discussion that follows.

"Life's purpose is to be successful." "Life's purpose is to create a secure future for yourself and your children." "Life's purpose is to survive." "Life's purpose is to improve your lifestyle." "Life's purpose is to acquire." "Life's purpose is to achieve significance." "Life's purpose is to build enduring relationships." "Life's purpose is to love and be loved." "Life's purpose is to be responsible." "Life's purpose is to live in joy."

Aside from Bible class discussions, does God have a basic bearing on life's purpose?

Do I believe that it is impossible to understand life's purpose without growing in my understanding of God? Do I believe that the better I understand God, the better I understand my life? Do I believe that closeness to God increases the meaning of and the fulfillment in my life? Is it my relationship with God that makes it obvious that I believe these things?

Do I believe that physical existence is merely a stepping stone to eternal existence? Do I believe that physical joy and gratification are only a dim shadow of eternal joy and gratification? Do I believe that my death will only be a door that permits me to enter the better life that exists only in God's presence? Is it my relationship with Christ that makes it obvious that I believe these things?

Do I believe that I grasp the significance of life only by understanding my insignificance? Do I believe that the holy, pure God patiently accepts me as His child because of His grace, not my accomplishments? Do I believe that God holds the man or woman who humbly serves the least significant people in His highest esteem? Does my relationship with God's Spirit make it obvious that I believe these things?

Do I believe that the church is no more and no less than the men and women who are spiritually alive because of the atonement of Jesus Christ? Do I believe that the men and women who are in Christ exist to be Christ's fullness on earth? Do I believe that a basic purpose of my life is to help build up Christ's body by preparing Christians to serve? Do I believe that I become useful to God's purposes through serving others? Does my relationship with God's people make it obvious that I believe these things?

Is what I believe limited to what I say, or are my beliefs obvious because of the ways that I use life for God in my service to others?

David Chadwell

West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR
Bulletin Article, 7 May 2000

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