The Meaning of Life

Understanding what's really important about Christian living

2001 William R. Cunningham
February 11,2001

Introduction

What is important to a Christian? What does God really want and what are the things that I should pursue above all else? Many people attend church services every week and they try to live up to the rules and standards placed on them by church. Is this meaningful? Isn't life more than just following the rules?

I am gong to address these issues in this lesson. We will discover what is ultimately important to the Christian and what really gives life meaning. I am not going to speak of life in a way or context that you probably would expect or are used to. First we will define life for the context of this study and then we are going to analyze that life through scripture in order to determine what is really the meaning of life.

Life Defined

Let's define the word life from various sources before we dive into a scriptural analysis of life.

First I would like to quote the definition of life given in the Holman Bible Dictionary.

LIFE A principle or force considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings. What is living has movement; in death, all movement ceases. "Life" is used in the Bible to describe the animating force in both animals and humans (for example, Gen. 1:20; 2:7; 7:15). Living organisms grow and reproduce according to their kinds. Human life as bodily existence, the value of human life, and its transient nature is described (for example, Ex. 1:14; Pss. 17:14; 63:3; Jas. 4:14). This physical, bodily existence is subject to suffering, illness, toil, death, temptations, and sin (for example, Pss. 89:47; 103:14-16; 104:23; John 11:1-4, 17-44; Rom. 5:12-21; 6:21-23; 8:18; 1 Cor. 7:5; 10:13; 2 Cor. 1:5-7; 11:23-29; 1 Tim. 6:9; Heb. 9:27; Jas. 5:10). "Life" as used in the Bible, however, has a much wider application than only to physical, bodily existence.

Now let me provide you with the information given in the "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia."

The following are a list of words translated into life from various Hebrew and Greek words in the Bible.

• i„ —, h ayyŒ m
• L †, nephesh
• —e , ru ah
• ˆ ˜ h a ya h
• zo e
• , psuche
• , bŒ os
• T , pneu ma

Of the Hebrew terms, h a ya h is the verb which means, "to live," "to have life," or the vital principle, "to continue to live," or "to live prosperously." The noun hayyΠm generally used in the plural is an abstract noun meaning "life," i.e. the possession of the vital principle with its energies and activities. Nephesh often means "living being" or "creature." Sometimes it has the force of the reflexive "self." At other times it refers to the seat of the soul, the personality, the emotions, the appetites-passions and even mental acts. Frequently it means "life," the "seat of life," and in this way it is used about 171 times in the Old Testament, referring to the principle of vitality in both men and animals. Ru ah signifies "wind," "breath," principle or source of vitality, but is never used to signify life proper.

Old Testament Teaching About Life

The term "life" is used in the Old Testament in the popular sense. It meant life in the body, the existence and activity of the man in all his parts and energies. It is the person complete, conscious and active. There is no idea of the body being a fetter or prison to the soul; the body was essential to life and the writers had no desire to be separated from it. To them the physical sphere was a necessity, and a man was living when all his activities were performed in the light of God's face and favor. The secret and source of life to them was relationship with God. There was nothing good or desirable apart from this relation of fellowship. To overcome or be rid of sin was necessary to life. The real center of gravity in life was in the moral and religious part of man's nature. This must be in fellowship with God, the source of all life and activity.

The Complexities of the Concept of Life

The conception of life is very complex. Several meanings are clearly indicated: (1) Very frequently it refers to the vital principle itself, apart from its manifestations (Gen 2:7). Here it is the breath of life, or the breath from God which contained and communicated the vital principle to man and made him a nephesh or living being (see also Gen 1:30; 6:17; 7:22; 45:5, etc.). (2) It is used to denote the period of one's actual existence, i.e. "lifetime" (Gen 23:1; 25:7; 47:9; Ex 6:16, 18, 20, etc.). (3) The life is represented as a direct gift from God, and dependent absolutely upon Him for its continuance (Gen 1:11-27; 2:7; Nu 16:22). (4) In a few cases it refers to the conception of children, denoting the time when conception was possible (Gen 18:10, 14 margin; 2 Ki 4:16, 17 margin). (5) In many cases it refers to the totality of man's relationships and activities, all of which make up life (Dt 32:47; 1 Sam 25:29; Job 10:1, etc.). (6) In a few instances it is used synonymously with the means of sustaining life (Dt 24:6; Prov 27:27). (7) Many times it is used synonymously with happiness or well-being (Dt 30:15, 19; Ezr 6:10; Ps 16:11; 30:5; Prov 2:19, and frequently). (8) It is always represented as a very precious gift, and offenses against life were to be severely punished (Gen 9:4, 5; Lev 17:14; 24:17).

(11) The fundamental fact in the possession of life was vital relationship with God. Men first lived because God breathed into them the breath of life (Gen 2:7). Man's vital energies are the outflowing of the spirit or vital energies of God, and all activities are dependent upon the vitalizing power from God. When God sends forth His spirit, things are created, and live; when He withdraws that spirit they die (Ps 104:30). "In his favor is life" (Ps 30:5 the King James Version). He is the fountain of life (Ps 36:9; 63:3). "All my fountains are in thee" (Ps 87:7). The secret of Job's success and happiness was that the Almighty was with him (Job 29:2). This fellowship brought him health, friends, prosperity and all other blessings. The consciousness of the fellowship with God led men to revolt against the idea of going to Sheol where this fellowship must cease. They felt that such a relationship could not cease, and God would take them out of Sheol.

The New Testament Concept of Life

Of the Greek terms bios is used at times as the equivalent of the Hebrew h ayyΠm. It refers to life extensively, i.e. the period of one's existence, a lifetime; also to the means of sustaining life, such as wealth, etc. Psuche is also equivalent to h ayyΠm at times, but very frequently to nephesh and sometimes to ru ah . Thus, it means the vital principle, a living being, the immaterial part of man, the seat of the affections, desires and appetites, etc. The term zo e corresponds very closely to h ayyΠm, and means the vital principle, the state of one who is animate, the fullness of activities and relationship both in the physical and spiritual realms.

The content of the word zo e is the chief theme of the New Testament. The life is mediated by Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament this life was through fellowship with God, in the New Testament it is through Jesus Christ the Mediator. The Old Testament idea is carried to its completion, its highest development of meaning, being enriched by the supreme teaching and revelation of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament as well as in the Old Testament, the center of gravity in human life is in the moral and religious nature of man.

Life In the Synoptic Gospels

The teaching here regarding life naturally links itself with Old Testament ideas and the prevailing conceptions of Judaism. The word is used in the sense of (1) the vital principle, that which gives actual physical existence (Mt 2:20; Mk 10:45; Lk 12:22 f; 14:26). (2) It is also the period of one's existence, i.e. lifetime (Lk 1:75; 16:25). (3) Once it may mean the totality of man's relationships and activities (Lk 12:15) which do not consist in abundance of material possessions. (4) Generally it means the real life, the vital connection with the world and God, the sum total of man's highest interests. It is called "eternal life" (Mt 19:29; 25:46). It is called "life" (Mt 18:8, 9; 19:17; Mk 9:43, 45, 46). In these passages Jesus seems to imply that it is almost equivalent to "laying up treasures in heaven," or to "entering the kingdom of God." The entering into life and entering the kingdom are practically the same, for the kingdom is that spiritual realm where God controls, where the principles, activities and relationships of heaven prevail, and hence, to enter into these is to enter into "life." (5) The lower life of earthly relationship and activities must be subordinated to the higher and spiritual (Mt 10:39; 16:25; Lk 9:24). These merely earthly interests may be very desirable and enjoyable, but whoever would cling to these and make them supreme is in danger of losing the higher. The spiritual being infinitely more valuable should be sought even if the other relationship should be lost entirely. (6) Jesus also speaks of this life as something future, and to be realized at the consummation of the age (Mt 19:29; Lk 18:30), or the world to come.

This in no wise contradicts the statement that eternal life can be entered upon in this life. As Jesus Himself was in vital relationship with the spiritual world and lived the eternal life, He sought to bring others into the same blessed state. This life was far from being perfect. The perfection could come only at the consummation when all was perfection and then they would enter into the perfect fellowship with God and connection with the spirit-world and its blessed experiences. There is no conflict in His teaching here, no real difficulty, only an illustration of Browning's statement, "Man never is but wholly hopes to be." Thus in the synoptists Jesus teaches the reality of the eternal life as a present possession as well as future fruition. The future is but the flowering out and perfection of the present. Without the present bud, there can be no future flower.

(7) The conditions which Jesus lays down for entering into this life are faith in Himself as the one Mediator of the life, and the following of Him in a life of obedience. He alone knows the Father and can reveal Him to others (Mt 11:27). He alone can give true rest and can teach men how to live (Mt 11:28 f). The sure way to this life is: "Follow me." His whole ministry was virtually a prolonged effort to win confidence in Himself as Son and Mediator, to win obedience, and hence, bring men unto these spiritual relationships and activities which constitute the true life.

In the Fourth Gospel (John)

Please note that John is not considered to be one of the synoptic Gospels. The fullest and richest teachings regarding life are found here. The greatest word of this Gospel is "life." The author says he wrote the Gospel in order that "ye may have life" (Jn 20:31). Most of the teachings recorded, circle around this great word "life." This teaching is in no way distinctive and different from that of the synoptists, but is supplementary, and completes the teaching of Jesus on the subject. The use of the word is not as varied, being concentrated on the one supreme subject. (1) In a few cases it refers only to the vital principle which gives life or produces a lifetime (Jn 10:11, 15-18; 13:37; 15:13). (2) It represents Jesus the Loges as the origin and means of all life to the world. As the preincarnate Loges He was the source of life to the universe (Jn 1:4). As the incarnate Loges He said His life had been derived originally from the Father (Jn 5:26; 6:57; 10:18). He then was the means of life to men (Jn 3:15, 16; 4:14; 5:21, 39, 40); and this was the purpose for which He came into the world (Jn 6:33, 34, 51; 10:10). (3) The prevailing reference, however, is to those activities which are the expression of fellowship with God and Jesus Christ. These relationships are called "eternal life" (Jn 3:15, 16, 36; 4:14, etc.). The nearest approach to a definition of eternal life is found in Jn 17:3. Though not a scientific or metaphysical definition, it is nevertheless Jesus' own description of eternal life, and reveals His conception of it. It is thus more valuable than a formal definition. It is "to know God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent."

This knowledge is vastly more than mere intellectual perception or understanding. It is moral knowledge, it is personal acquaintance, it is fellowship, a contact, if we may so speak, of personality with personality, an inner affinity and sympathy, an experience of similar thoughts, emotions, purposes, motives, desires, an interchange of the heart's deepest feelings and experiences. It is a bringing of the whole personality of man into right relationship with the personality of God. This relation is ethical, personal, binding the two together with ties which nothing can separate. It is into this experience that Jesus came to bring men. Such a life Jesus says is satisfying to all who hunger and thirst for it (Jn 4:14; 6:35); it is the source of light to all (Jn 1:4; 8:12); it is indestructible (Jn 6:58; 11:26); it is like a well of water in the soul (Jn 4:14); it is procured by personally partaking of those qualities which belong to Jesus (Jn 6:53).

(4) This life is a present possession and has also a glorious future fruition. (a) To those who exercise faith in Jesus it is a present experience and possession (Jn 4:10; 5:24, 40). Faith in Him as the Son of God is the psychological means by which persons are brought into this vital relationship with God. Those who exercised the faith immediately experienced this new power and fellowship and exercised the new activities. (b) It has a glorious fruition in the future also (Jn 4:36; 5:29; 6:39, 44, 54). John does not give so much prominence to the eschatological phase of Jesus' teachings as to the present reality and actual possession of this blessed life.

(5) It has been objected that in speaking of the Loges as the source of life John is pursuing a metaphysical line, whereas the life which he so much emphasizes has an ethical basis, and he makes no attempt to reconcile the two. The objection may have force to one who has imbibed the Ritschlian idea of performing the impossible task of eliminating all metaphysics from theology. It will not appeal very strongly to the average Christian. It is a purely academic objection. The ordinary mind will think that if Jesus Christ is the source of ethical and eternal life it is because He possesses something of the essence and being of God, which makes His work for men possible. The metaphysical and the ethical may exist together, may run concurrently, the one being the source and seat of the other. There is no contradiction. Both metaphysics and ethics are a legitimate and necessary exercise of the human mind.

Summary of Definitions

Let me summarize the definitions given from the Holman Bible Dictionary and the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.

1. Life is the force that gives vitality to all animate beings (even plants)
2. Life is the bodily existence of animate beings (the time from birth to death, a lifetime)
3. Life is the vital principle (same as number one above)
4. Life is the possession of the vital principle with its energies and activities
5. Life is the breath (spirit), which is the agent of the vital principle and therefore vitality or life
6. Life is the complete conscious and active person
7. Life is the foundation and source of life in the Old Testament was a relationship and fellowship with God.
8. Life is the state of one who is animate. The fullness of activities and relationships both in the physical and spiritual realms
9. Jesus Christ is the mediator of life.
10. In the Old Testament life was through fellowship with God
11. In the New Testament life is through fellowship with Jesus Christ
12. Entering the Kingdom of God and entering into life is equivalent (very important to our study).

The Real Question About Life

Face it. You want to be happy and fulfilled. We all want to live our lives in a way that we can look back and say that it was all worth it or at least that we accomplished something. People also tend to want to be remembered-not for memories sake but for the sake of worth. After all, if we are remembered then that tends to say that what we did in life was important and therefore meaningful.

What then is the meaning of life? This question can be composed in the following ways.

1. What is the purpose of life?
2. Why am I here?
3. What is my specific purpose?
4. What does God really want from me?
5. What is really important and really makes a difference?

This category of questions is very important to the Christian. Why? A true Christian, distinguished from a mere professed one, wants to do what is right before God. A true Christian wants to live according to God's way. We want to know that the things that we do in this life is acceptable by God and pleasing to God. I would dare say that true Christians want to be fulfilled in knowing that we are really doing the will of God and not wasting our time on ungodly things and unimportant things. We want to do things that really matter.

This desire of Christians directly affects what we do in life. Therefore, we always want to know what the meaning of life really is? Some Christians search for the meaning of life or assume the meaning of life to be in church dedication and denominational allegiance. Others look for heights of piety in other religious activities. I believe that this search for meaning and what is really important is why so many Christian fall prey to the realm of "justification by works." That is, it is a lot simpler to believe that acceptance by God is gotten from following the rules that we deem are godly or God-sent. However, is this the way? Consider the following scripture as we start our journey to discovering the meaning of life.

John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

This scripture actually opens a major revelation to those seeking for the meaning of life. Let me start by stating that Jesus said that he is the way, the truth, and the life. This seems to tell us that Jesus Christ is the key to us understanding the true meaning of life.

Life in the Scriptures

Now let's look at various scripture to see what they tell us about this concept of life.

Matthew 6:25 (NKJV) "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

The word life in this scripture is the Greek word psuchē, which means breath or spirit. This concept of life if different from the rational and immortal soul as well as the mere vital existence that even plants have.

Now the context of this verse appears to be an overall perspective of the human being as a spirit as well as a physical being. The totality of life consists of much more than those things that pertain to the body. Life has more meaning then that which pertains to the flesh.

Matthew 7:14 (NKJV) Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

The word life used here is a different Greek word than what was used in the previous scripture. The Greek word here is the word zōē. The following definition of zōē is from the Thayer Greek Lexicon.

Zōē

Life, the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate, every living soul

Of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic "logos" and to Christ in whom the "logos" put on human nature.

Life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.

Zōē could also refer to a way of life or substance. The word zōē has a wide range of applications. Mostly we could say that it represents the full scope of life both physical and spiritual life.

Matthew 18:8-9 (NKJV) "If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.

The word life used in this scripture is also the word zōē. This verse is also very important to the concept of Christian living. Many people interpret this verse as Jesus' instructions for entering heaven. From this we have a slew of understandings as to what he means by plucking out the eye or cutting off the hand. Actually, considering the concept of life, which we will go into more detail as we go on, Jesus is referring most likely to a way of life.

The phrase "causes you to sin" is better rendered in the KJV of the Bible as "offend". This means to trip up, entrap, or entice to sin. Therefore, Jesus says that if something trip us up and keep us from entering into the Way of true life (the Way of God) then we have to take drastic actions to remove those hindrances else those trip ups can keep us in the dark and away from God.

Matthew 19:16-17 (NKJV) Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."

Again the Greek word zōē is used here in regards to life. This life therefore could be that which is in accordance with God's way-a life of God. We would say a life in Christ.

Matthew 25:46 (NKJV) And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Now this scripture throws what appears to be a curve ball at us. Many people interpret the Greek word zoe to be eternal life. If that were true then this verse would have to be rendered eternal eternal life. As we saw earlier, the word zōē does not mean eternal. It more closely identifies a mode of living or type of life then the perpetuation or lack thereof of life. The KJV also better renders this verse. It reads "life eternal" instead of eternal life.

This life refers to the life of God, which is indeed everlasting. It is more than merely existing forever because we see in the previous scripture that the wicked will go into everlasting punishment, implying that they will exist forever. So the righteous will enter into a perpetual (everlasting, eternal) zōē or life.

John 4:14 (NKJV) but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

Here again we see the word zōē used in a reference to life. The life that Jesus is talking about here is the life of God as a lifestyle and mode of living as well as being everlasting.

John 5:24-25 (NKJV) "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.

Here again we see the use of the word zoe (life) and everlasting. There is a reference to the way of life of God and the eternal nature of God's life. Also note the use of the word death, which implies an absence of the way or life of God.

John 6:27 (NKJV) Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."

Here we see the use of the Greek aionios zoe, which means everlasting life. In addition to that fact, this verse sheds much more light on the answer of our original question of the meaning of life.

Jesus said not to labor for food that perishes. Instead labor for the food that endures to perpetual zōē (everlasting life). The Greek word for labor here means to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with:-commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work.

Now the context of this particular scripture is that people had followed Jesus to the other side of the lake and according to Jesus, they did it because he had fed them earlier. Therefore, we have to coincide Jesus' remarks with this particular situation and not as a general guideline regarding work and occupation. Jesus was merely telling the people that had followed him for food not to pursue food or labor for it. Instead, pursue that which is everlasting.

John 6:47-58 (NKJV) Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?" Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven-not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever."

This is a very interesting verse and very important to the context of our study and the answer to our original question. First of all you will notice the use of the words life and everlasting as in previous scriptures. However, there is another word that is introduced here, which is the word "live." Actually the word live that is used in the above scripture is the verb form of life. It is the Greek word zao, which means to live.

What's more important, I think, is what Jesus says about obtaining this perpetual life. He speaks of eating his flesh and drinking his blood. Jesus said that anyone that eats his flesh or drinks his blood will have everlasting life. What does he mean by eating his flesh and drinking his blood? These were basically metaphorical statements illustrating the act of Jesus abiding in the believer. Unless Jesus abides in us we cannot have eternal life. This refers to the nature of Christ and the words of Christ. This verse when taken in relation to such verses as John 3:16, show the importance of a Christian lifestyle in addition, or better yet accompanied with, the belief in Jesus Christ. One cannot be saved without taking in Christ. One cannot genuinely take in Christ and not live according to God's ways.

John 10:10 (NKJV) The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The abundant life. So many ministers relate this verse and teaching of Jesus Christ with material prosperity. This contradicts the general teachings of the Bible and our understanding of life. The life that Jesus is referring to here is also not perpetual life. How can you have something that is more than everlasting? Jesus is referring to a godly lifestyle, a life in Christ, or a life consistent with the Way of God. Abundantly refers to those things in God's kingdom such as forgiveness, patience, perseverance, etc. Jesus is not talking about material wealth. God does bless individuals with material wealth for his own purposes. However, Jesus did not come so that we could have material wealth! Jesus came so that we could have the life of God and have it abundantly.

John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

This is probably one of the most important scriptures to our lesson. Jesus Christ identifies himself with "life" or zōē. He says that he is zōē. This also coincides with what He said John 6:47-58, which we discussed earlier. What is life? The answer is Jesus Christ. Now of course there is a lot to that statement from a Christian doctrine perspective. The important thing is to "have the life of Christ inside of you." Consider the following scripture.

John 1:4 (NKJV) In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

Jesus is this life because in Him is the life (the very essence) of God. The life that Jesus has is what illuminates people (See also Matthew 6:22-23).

John 17:2-3 (NKJV) as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Jesus is the provider of eternal life. Through Christ is available the perpetual zoe that we have been discussing in this lesson. Verse three is very important. What is eternal life-practically? It is knowing (intimate relationship with) the Father, the only true God, and knowing (having an intimate relationship with) His son, Jesus Christ. The concept of knowing God is more than just factual or informational knowledge about God. To know God is to have a relationship with and be joined with Him through Christ Jesus.

Again, this union between yourself and Christ is accompanied by a lifestyle since it is impossible to have Christ on the inside and not live a Christ-like life. This is the difference between a professed Christian and a true Christian. A professed Christian merely claims to be born again and have faith in Christ. A true Christian simply lives it because that is what is on the inside.

John 6:63 (NKJV) It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

The Spirit (God) gives life (quickens). The actual Greek here is translated into the phrase "gives life." The Greek here means that which vitalizes or gives life to, animates. Life comes through the Spirit of God. All life exists because of the Spirit of God that brings this life "force" or vitality to all living beings (even plants).

Now Jesus said that His words are spirit and they bring life or zoe. Life here is applied to the vital existence or total existence of man and not merely physical or spiritual existence. The Word of God benefits all aspects of man due to the wisdom, power, and essence thereof.

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Again the word of God is a life giving entity in itself. Remember that John the Apostle said that Jesus was the word of God and in Him was life (see John 1:1-3). Note that the King James Version of the Bible uses the word "quick" instead of "living." The word quick in that case does not mean fast as many would reckon. It refers to having life or vitality.

The Meaning of Life

Now the original question is actually a play on words, namely the word life. The question actually is querying for the important thing of the life that we have. It just so happens that the important thing in our life is life itself, that is perpetual zoe.

We have looked at some scriptures from the Bible that reveals the concept of life and eternal life. All of these point to Jesus Christ as being the key to true life. Now by life I mean more than just our existence from birth to death while on the earth. I am talking about the zoe that we have.

Let me summarize some of the things that are presented in this study as we work towards the answer to the original question.

1. Everlasting Life is the life that we have as Christians and is offered to everyone.
2. Everlasting life is based on Jesus Christ
3. True life involves godly living through the relationship that we have with Jesus Christ and is therefore the result of the indwelling Word
4. Jesus came so that we could have this life and life eternal for that matter
5. Jesus gives life
6. There is life in the Word of Jesus Christ

From these as well as other points made in this study, the meaning of life is to fulfill the purpose of God. The meaning of life is that of God's love for you and His actions to get you to himself. The meaning of life is fellowship with God through fellowship with Jesus Christ.

The key to the life that we so desperately seek is knowing Jesus Christ and the Father.

Methods of Life

Now we see from the information presented so far that true life is based on Jesus Christ. True life consists of our relationship with Christ and entering the Kingdom of God, which is to say that we operate and live according to the Way of God (righteously). Therefore, our objective is to seek God's kingdom and that is where we will live and find the abundant life. Jesus said it so plainly.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Also,

Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV) "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

So the key to life is Jesus Christ and in a broader or functional way, the Kingdom of God.

Now the problem is that many bypass the simplicity of life by the complexities of religion. Instead of laboring for the food that leads to everlasting life, people labor for the things that are temporal, even religious. Consider some of the following pursuits of people in hopes of entering and maintaining life.

1. Attending church every Sunday
2. Tithing
3. Attending church functions religiously
4. Supporting the pastor financially
5. Wearing certain clothes
6. Various denominational rules and regulations

None of these have anything to do with entering or maintaining life. It is true that a Christian will attend church and probably very often. However, this should be a result of their desire for fellowship, knowledge, and worship and not to obtain life. In other words, we go to church because we are living the Christian life and not in order to live the Christian life

The same apply to the other items on the above list. People tithe, for example, because they expect God to bless them because of their tithes. Now the New Testament does not teach this but many churches and ministers do. People in an effort to live a Christian life equate tithing with part of that life. They think that tithing will grant them acceptance by God and therefore a blessing. Again the Bible doesn't teach this. Our life is in Christ the mediator of the life of God. Whether we tithe or not is inconsequential. The important thing is that we have surrender our life to Christ by believing in Him and yielding to God's Way-the righteous way.

Our goal therefore, is to conform to Christ, who is the Way (to life), Truth, and that life itself. Even Jesus said that eternal life is knowing Him and the Father, which implies a personal relationship and fellowship. We sometimes confuse conformity to Christ with conformity to religious rules and regulations. Some would rather live by works instead of by faith in Christ. It is easy to see the results of works or the perception thereof. We can easily count the number of good deeds and conforming deeds we have done. This gives us assurance without faith, which is not true life. Our assurance should come through faith in Jesus Christ that if we do what he says that we will have eternal life and true blessings from above.

The mode of life is to pursue Christ. The key to life is fellowship with Jesus Christ and the Father (through Christ). The mode of life is the pursuit of the truth, which is Christ.

Conclusion

The primary objective regarding life is to be with God. True liberty comes from the presence of God. The meaning of life is found in Jesus Christ. The meaning of life is acquired through knowing Jesus Christ and the Father (through Christ). The meaning of life is found in operating according to the Kingdom of God and not according to your religious activities.

Imagine the confidence that you would have in knowing that you are with God and on the right path to life and in life. I think of the martyrs of Christianity and how they were able to die for what they believed. The power of knowing you are right with God and doing His will is absolute power and liberty even from the fear of death.

If we would spend more time "being with God" instead of formalities then we would do better and experience the true life of God. Life is not in material possessions. Life is in Christ. There are many that pawn the abundant life as abundant possessions and wealth. This is far from the truth of true life. Life is found in Jesus Christ so pursue Him and experience true life.

The meaning of life is to do what God says (see Ecclesiastes 12:13). Live according to the Kingdom of God, i.e., consistent with the life of God. That is the meaning of life. Please God and fulfill your god-given purpose by obeying Him and living your life His Way. From this you will experience the life and liberty of God through your fellowship with Jesus Christ. Amen.