Order ofMelchizedek
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What's it all mean?
So what exactly is the meaning of life? The question has been asked for as long as man has been around.
The funny thing is, the answer's been with us a long time as well. Those whove been at the old board already know where the answer is found in the Bible.
Anyone else have any questions or comments on what we're doing on this spinning rock in the universe?
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I know who saved my soul and I want this world to know, that I was once blind, once lost, Now I'm blood bought, reconciled to God by the blood He shed on the cross. -Eternal M.o.G.
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4/6/2007, 11:03 am
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Order ofMelchizedek
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Re: What's it all mean?
For those who haven't already seen the answer I have found to this age old question, here it is.
What is the meaning of life? It is not an unanswerable question. As a matter of fact, the answer has been with us for a long time, it's just a matter of looking in the right place. And where is the right place to look for the answer? Go straight to the source - the Creator of life would be the only One who could give us the true answer - and He has, in His Word - the Bible.
The Bible is a really big Book to go through, though isn't it? Although it certainly wouldn't hurt you to read through the entire thing, and I encourage everyone to do so.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
But in the meantime, let's address the answer to the question, and exactly where it's found.
The answer is given in Ecclesiastes by the wisest man who ever lived. He was given this wisdom by God Himself, in order to rule Israel.
1 Kings 3:11-14
So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life."
Even with his God-given wisdom and discernment, Solomon had his problems. He allowed himself to be led astray and to follow false gods. We've always got to be on our guard against this.
1 Kings 11:6
So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done.
Ecclesiastes starts out with his search and claim that everything is meaningless. This man had it all - riches, wisdom, and power, yet something was still lacking. In the end, we find out that which was lacking was also the answer to the age-old question.
After an extensive search for what would bring him satisfaction, Solomon finds that nothing does. This is detailed in the book of Ecclesiastes. Near the end of the book, we are given what Solomon learned through all his experience and searching.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Below is a piece of the Commentary by Ray Stedman at the Blue Letter Bible that helps this fit together better and make more sense, answering the question, clearly and concisely.
This is not our "duty" like this translation shows, but actually who and what we are - our very definition and the true meaning to our lives.
quoting
What is his final advice?
Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole of man. (12:13 ) "Wait!" you protest. "You left out a word! It says, 'this is the whole duty of man.'"
No, I didn't leave it out. The translators put it in. That word doesn't belong there. The Hebrew says, "this is the whole of man" or "this is what makes man whole," if you like. "Fear God." Now that doesn't mean that you are to be afraid of him, but to have a loving respect that obeys him.
Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole of man. This is what makes man whole. And the secret is to enthrone God in the days of your youth. If you want to find the secret of living so that the heart is satisfied and the spirit is enriched and fulfilled according to God's intention for you, then "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come." Enthrone God in the center of your life and you will discover all that God has intended your life to be. And you will be able to rejoice all the days of your life.
So there you have it, the meaning of life revealed. Now, on to the next question. What will you do with this information?
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I know who saved my soul and I want this world to know, that I was once blind, once lost, Now I'm blood bought, reconciled to God by the blood He shed on the cross. -Eternal M.o.G.
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4/6/2007, 1:19 pm
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Staybrite
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Re: What's it all mean?
quoting
Order ofMelchizedek ...
So there you have it, the meaning of life revealed. Now, on to the next question. What will you do with this information?
I'm thinking it would be a good idea to "Fear God, and keep his commandments."
Thanks for bringing that to Harmony Mel.
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Peace, that brief period in history when everyone stops to reload.
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4/6/2007, 1:41 pm
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Order ofMelchizedek
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Re: What's it all mean?
Here's some more on the purpose of life, and why my hope is placed where it is.
1 John 2: 15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.
The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
"The world and it's desires pass away" No purpose, no hope. Only the expectation of eternal judgment for the wrath of God that you've stored up for yourself through the brief sinful pleasures of this life.
Hebrews 10:26-31
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?
For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
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I know who saved my soul and I want this world to know, that I was once blind, once lost, Now I'm blood bought, reconciled to God by the blood He shed on the cross. -Eternal M.o.G.
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11/7/2007, 1:29 pm
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