What Is The Purpose Of Life?

While I was working in one of our local high school libraries a few years ago, I was privileged to listen to a presentation by the principal of the school to freshmen and sophomore students. In the presentation, he encouraged the students to (1) stay in school; (2) don't be late for class; (3) study, study, study.

The principal then talked briefly about the question, "What is the purpose of life? Why are we here?" He mentioned the fact that life is fleeting, our time on earth is short, and soon we will be with the flowers (the ones on top of our grave). He then pointed out that the purpose of life has to be determined by each individual, and learning what that purpose is, can be achieved through secular education.

Sadly, he did not mention the Bible at all in his presentation. While it is true that each individual has to determine the purpose of life, is that purpose discovered through secular education alone?

Noah Webster once stated that "Education is useless without the Bible" (source, here & here). Mr. Webster was indeed correct in his statement. Secular education alone is not enough to discover the purpose of life. Only God's inspired Word can give us the real purpose for our existence.

In Isaiah 43:7, the inspired writer penned these words: "Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him." Our Lord said in Matthew 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (cf. John 15:8).

Looking at the two above passages of Scripture, we can conclude that the purpose for our existence, is to "glorify God" (cf. Acts 4:21; Acts 11:18; Romans 15:5-9; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 2 Corinthians 9:13; Gal. 1:21-24; 1 Peter 4:16).

We glorify God when we (1) keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV) and (2) honor and help our fellow man (1 Peter 2:17; cf. Romans 12:10) as our Lord did (Acts 10:38; cf. Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:16-21).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets