Why are we on earth? Why do we exist? What are we doing here? These are questions that people often ask. So many have rejected the very idea of God that they have absolutely no idea of the answers to these questions.
There is one very simple answer: We are here to give God glory. We know this from Scripture. For example, Isaiah 43:7 tells us, “Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes I have made him.”
In Psalm 139:14, David said, “I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” He added, “My substance was not hid from you, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth” (Psalm 139:15).
I quoted this the first day of class when I taught courses in anatomy and physiology. I was told not to mention anything of a religious nature, but I did quote the Bible when I thought it appropriate. I would rather have lost a job I loved than deny the truth as I saw it.
Again, our very purpose in life is to glorify God, not to amass a fortune or gain power over others. Some people get depressed because they have not managed to achieve their dreams of great achievement. What they need to realize is that they do not have to achieve great things. They simply need to honor God, regardless of what they do.
And there is never any need to despond over the sorry state of the world. This world is not our home. We who believe in Christ have a home in heaven waiting for us. Nothing in this world really matters. Saint Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Doing this will give meaning to your life.
We are to imitate God and become more like Christ, more like little children. Ephesians 5:1 tells us, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” This also means that we should enjoy what creativity and accomplishments we can achieve and learn what God wants us to know in order to become what He wants us to be. We can never be happy seeking our own glory, as King Herod did. We do so at great peril to our own lives.
Man was created in God’s own image. This means that we are like God in many ways. This is why murder in any form is evil. God knew us before we were born. God told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the belly I knew you, and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, and I ordained you a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).
Created in the image of God, man still had a dark side. His pride makes him want to be wise like God. And yet this desire is misguided, because true wisdom is subjugation and obedience to God. True wisdom is knowing that Christ is our only way to heaven and that He is truly the very Son of God.
Why are we here? We are all created to give God the glory only He deserves. We are here to honor, love, and obey the God who created us and the entire universe. Praise His name forever!
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Ralph Fudge is the pastor of Big Ochlocknee Baptist Church in Coolidge, Ga., and has a Master’s degree in theology from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
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