What is our purpose on Earth, according to the Bible? Christians believe that human beings are created by God and are tasked with living in a manner that aligns with His will. Different denominations within the faith believe that this task takes different forms, from upholding the Ten Commandments to serving others, but the underlying tenet remains the same: to live a life that is devoted to God and embodies the ideals He has outlined for us in the scriptures.
The Bible’s narrative of creation affirms God’s dominion over the created world and its various inhabitants, asserting that human beings have been given free will, the ability to choose right and wrong, and the capacity to live a meaningful and fulfilling life. In Genesis 1:28 it states, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” This is interpreted by many as suggesting that we are meant to look after the earth and use its resources wisely, and exercise dominion over animals.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ embodies the ideal example of obediently living a life devoted to God and serving others. Jesus teaches that our purpose is to be of service to others, championing justice and using our abilities to lend a helping hand. He says in Matthew 25:40, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” This he is teaching us to treat others as we would treat Christ, helping those in need and being compassionate.
Central to Christianity is the message of love and grace. God himself sets an example of sacrificial love to follow and in 1 John 4:7-8 it states, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Jesus also reinforces this idea in his famous words from the Sermon on the Mount, saying “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” We are therefore called to express God’s love to the world in our words and actions.
By living a life focused on serving God and others, we are fulfilling His purpose for us and earning our souls a place in Heaven with Him. When we die, God will judge our lives and determine where we deserve to spend eternity. In 2 Corinthians 5:10 it states, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” Therefore, by living according to God’s will, we can ensure a favorable outcome for our souls.
Christ’s Teachings On Loving Others
Christ’s life and teachings focus heavily on the importance of loving others. He taught his followers to show unconditional love and respect to everyone, including those different from them. Jesus demonstrates this in the parable of the Good Samaritan, showing compassion for a fellow human being even though he is of a different faith. From parables such as this, Christians learn to treat others with kindness and feel sympathy even for their enemies.
In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus states, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” From this passage, Christians learn that their highest purpose is to love God and their neighbor. This is their ultimate goal, and all other tasks should be secondary.
In Mark 12:30-31 Jesus declares, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” By loving God and sacrificing for others, Christians can ensure that their lives will be more meaningful and enriching.
Finally, in John 13:34, Jesus plainly states, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” This is a reminder to us that even when times are difficult, we should strive to maintain and strengthen our relationships with those around us.
God’s Will For Our Lives
For Christians, God’s will for our lives is vast and varied, but there are a few core values that remain consistent. For instance, we should always strive to be kind, honest and forgiving. In Leviticus 19:18 it states, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” This is an important reminder to refocus on loving rather than hating and to turn away from harmful behavior.
In Proverbs 15:1 it says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” This is a reminder to choose our words with care, as even a few choice words can have a powerful impact on our relationships. In James 4:17 it states, “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” This is a reminder that even if we don’t directly hurt someone, we still have a responsibility to do the right thing.
Finally, in Proverbs 3:5-6 it states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” This is a reminder that we should always trust God and not rely solely on our own understanding, as He can guide us towards the best decisions.
Living A Moral Life
For Christians, living a moral life is an essential part of fulfilling their purpose on earth. The Ten Commandments are one of the foundations of Christian morality, and many Christians strive to live by these rules. In Exodus 20:1-17 it states, “And God spoke all these words: ‘I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.” This is a reminder that God should always be our highest priority, and we should strive to live in a manner that reflects His desires for us.
In Matthew 5:17 it states, “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.” Jesus is reminding us that we are still bound by the Commandments, and must strive to live our lives in line with God’s wishes. In Romans 13:10 it states, “Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” This is an important reminder that not only are we bound by God’s Commands, but we should strive to treat others with the same love and respect that God shows us.
Practicing Forgiveness
Forgiveness is central to the Christian faith, and is one of the core tenets of a godly life. As Jesus said in Mark 11:25, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” From this passage, we learn that forgiveness is essential for both ourselves and others. It releases us from a major burden, and allows us to gain a better understanding of our shared humanity.
In the parable of the unmerciful servant, Jesus highlights how important forgiveness really is. In Matthew 18:21-35, he tells the story of a debtor who is forgiven a huge amount of debt but is unable to forgive the debts of his neighbors. From this parable, we learn that whenever we receive forgiveness, it is our responsibility to extend it to others. We must strive to be as merciful and compassionate as God is to us.
The Christian faith places great emphasis on forgiveness, and in Colossians 3:13 it states, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” This is an important reminder to forgive others, regardless of the wrongs they have committed, so that we may also be forgiven. Jesus taught his followers how to forgive in Luke 6:37, saying “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” This passage reinforces the importance of forgiveness for our own well-being, showing us how to find peace and joy in our lives.
Serving The Community
The Bible calls on us to serve our communities and lend a helping hand to those in need. In Galatians 6:2 it states, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” This is a reminder that we should help each other and actively seek out ways to aid our fellow human beings. This is exemplified in the story of the Good Samaritan, in which Jesus teaches us to be prepared to help even a stranger in need.
We can also find examples of service in the lives of biblical figures like the prophet Isaiah, who worked to bring hope and renewal to his people. In Isaiah 1:17 it says, “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” This is a reminder that we should go beyond simply helping those whom we know and be prepared to offer assistance to people who are less fortunate than us.
These passages remind us that we are called to serve others and use our abilities to bring about positive change. We can serve our communities in many ways, such as volunteering for a local charity, tutoring children, or helping out in our churches. By taking an active role in our communities, we can help to create a better society and develop relationships with those around us.
Conclusion
Ultimately, our purpose on Earth as told by the Bible is to serve God and others, live a life that embodies the values of justice and mercy, and practice forgiveness. By
