Before I launch into today’s article, let me remind you of the purpose of this series.
I am directing this series to help those who do not believe in a single theistic God—offering them the two options of believing in God or accepting a scientific view of life.
In the prologue, I mentioned:
There are three questions that no one can answer categorically without faith.
- Where do we come from?
- What is our purpose in this life?
- Where do we go after our death?
Today, we will expand on the prologue version of, What is our purpose in life?
Let us begin with the scientific viewpoint. When I say ‘the scientific,’ I am not suggesting what I say about the scientific view is exhaustive or final in any way. It is purely my opinion.
After a bit of research, the best purpose I could find was that the purpose of humanity on Earth is to replicate its kind.[1] This statement is challenging because although humans are procreators of our kind on Earth (an undisputed fact), this cannot be the only reason for our stay on Earth. Surely not?
Taken literally, why don’t men get into the sperm bank queue, and our women folk contribute by being inseminated with this sperm and having as many babies as they want, whether none, one, or more?
If this system does not involve men and women committing themselves to one another to raise and nurture their offspring, who will undertake this task? The government?
Raising and nurturing children is a long-term task (at least 18 years), so one would have to consider the parents’ dynamic to undertake such a long-term task. To say nothing of the substantial financial costs involved in meeting the task. If science acknowledges what I have written above, that is a purpose for humankind.
The scriptures show millions of activities believers have performed. So, as best as possible, I will try to summarize what these amount to in the believer’s life. The best summary[2] I can find is:
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ [b] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [c] There is no commandment greater than these.”
This command is like a fountain from which flows living waters. In other words, from this purpose flows all activities performed by believers. It is as simple as ABC. This summary provides an excellent explanation of where the Kingdom of God is located and how it operates.
- a society where God rules
- a place where death is overcome
- a place where diseases are cured
- a place where evil spirits are overcome
- a place where people find a home and shelter in difficult times
The kingdom of God is not a geographical place but a way of living. This way of living is only possible when you or I become aware of God. Aware of who God is, understanding God’s willingness and power to do anything in and through each of us. When we accept by faith that God is in us and we are in God, the ability to live in the Kingdom of God here on this Earth is established in us.
Jesus stated that we would not only do the works that He performed on Earth but even greater.[3]
It is clear that each of us has a magnificent purpose in this life: Loving God, knowing God; living in the Kingdom of God is a summary of our supreme purpose on this Earth.
Now, I have a small caveat for each of us. Loving God is the greatest command. Only out of obedience to loving God can we love our neighbor. The service of our neighbor can take place as a result of loving our God. It CANNOT happen any other way. So many precious souls rush out waving banners that state, ‘I am serving the Lord.’ Inevitably, the time will come when they burn themselves out trying to ‘do’ things for God. No human can ever ‘do’ anything for God; as it happens, God never asked us to ‘do’ anything.
The practice of loving God is a gift from God, not as a result of your or my efforts. Think of this, ‘God is Spirit, and only Spirit matters to God.[4]
Love and Blessings to you.
We’ll chat again in the last of this series: Is God Real – Part Four.
- [1] Does Science Really Say There’s No Purpose to Life? | Psychology Today
- [2] Mark 12:28-34 NIV – The Greatest Commandment – One of the – Bible Gateway
- [3] John 14:12 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (biblehub.com)
[4] John 4:24 God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” (biblehub.com)