Someone recently mentioned to me they were trying to figure out the meaning of life. It got me thinking… and I realized that I already have it figured out!
The meaning of life is simple!
Matthew 6:9-21 (NIV)
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The little dash between your date of birth and your date of death is the tiny amount of time where you get to determine what your whole eternity will look like.
We are living in a mix between Heaven and Hell. We literally have both realms here on Earth. Look around, Life is all around us and so is Death; good and evil. And right here is where we choose, not only which one we will side with and WHERE we’ll spend Eternity, but also HOW we’ll spend Eternity.
Here, in this short life on Earth, is where we get to store up treasures in Heaven, or alternatively, furnish our torture chambers in Hell.
Here is where we invest in Eternity! That is all life is…setting up how your forever will look. What an amazing opportunity!!! Matthew 5 and 6 even give us a glimpse of how to invest and our potential ROI.
We were born selfish and were created to be reward based people. If we can look past immediate rewards here on Earth and see into our Eternal future and what rewards will accumulate there based on how we live here, what would that look like? Would you do life differently?
Here is where Faith comes in. We have to have Faith that the promises in the Bible are true; that there IS something waiting for us after we die; that while we’re promised rewards, we don’t know what they are so we have to have Faith that our rewards WILL be “great.”
So, where does Faith come in? How do we get that?
That comes via a real, back and forth, relationship with your Creator, who made you with a specific plan in mind for you, and with Jesus, the One who loved you so much He died and took on your sins so you don’t have to face eternal death (unless you choose it) and with the Holy Spirit, who is literally here to guide you through this test called “life.”
Can you name any other god that wants an actual relationship with you? Any other god that loved His creation so much, He would die to cover its debt, conquer Hell, and be resurrected for you? I can’t.
So, what does Matthew 5 have to say about all of this? It’s pretty cool…read on and you’ll get fabulous instructions on how to do life:
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5 (NIV)
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,
and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
2 He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
The Fulfillment of the Law
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Murder
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’
22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,
24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”
Adultery
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
Divorce
31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’
32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
Oaths
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’
34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.
37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
To succinctly sum up the Meaning of Life:
Life is the only opportunity you get to invest in your own Eternity.
Will you invest in it wisely?
By the way, since you read this whole blog, now you can add “I know the Meaning of Life” to your resume. I dare you! ;-)
Thow shalt have no graven image unto thee.
It is not our place to think about our coming passing, only to do the best we can while we can. If we don't, we will regret it