Answering the Questions of Life

<< Life
Exploring Salvation

Page Contents

  • Who am I?
  • What do I want?
  • Where did I come from?
  • What is the meaning of life?
  • What happens after death?
  • What is right and wrong?
  • How do I know I have honor?
  • Which kingdom am I building?
    Some of the Questions of Life
  • Confronting the Questions of Life

  • Questions about Life

  • Questions about Goals








    Confronting the Questions of Life

    Facing Life and Death

    Like most people, I have had times in my life when I had to try and answer the great questions of life and decide what I wanted. None are more poignant than when I was eighteen years old and soon to graduate from high school. Life was lonely, painful, and the future seemed bleak. I almost committed suicide. The one thing that stopped me was the singular question "what if there is meaning to life?" as I certainly did not know of any at that time.

    Evolution's Viewpoint

    Under the concept of evolution and naturalistic origins, the questions of life become almost mute. There is no meaning to life. Nothing happens when there is death. A person would come from a collection of chemicals. The goals of life would simply be reduced to either none or to survival of self or of one's children. It is a dangerous viewpoint because it makes the value of a persons life at a minimum. Suicide (as well as homicide and genocide) can be the eventual result from this type of thinking. I know because I was there.

    Searching for Meaning to Life

    My search for the meaning of life started out in the physical world and in philosophy because that is all I knew to search. Mankind has learned much about the physical world through the sciences, but there is no answer to life to be found in the physical. Philosophy explores possibilities through logic, but ultimately it is all based on assumptions. When I finally turned to the Scriptures I found something that explained life as I saw and experienced it. The challenge, for me, was to comprehend the possibility and depths of a spiritual level of life. As I explored this possibility, and also that of a relationship with the One Most High, life suddenly opened up and great things started to happen.

    Life Explained in Scripture

    There are many questions about the meaning of life that may be asked. The answers are found within Scripture and a relationship with the Creator. A proper understanding of both the physical and spiritual aspects of life allows one to put the value of life in perspective. It also enables a person to discern between what is truly important in life and what is only a distraction. A growing relationship with the Almighty brings peace and hope because forgiveness of sin and eternal life are available.

    The Questions about Life

    Who am I

    How a person answers this question will effect all of their thoughts and actions in life. A person can search through the roles and responsibilities one has in life to find some answers. As an example, roles and responsibilities can include being a man, a husband, and a father. Yet above these responsibilities is a deeper level that determines who a person is inside and decides how one will function in these roles. This level can include understanding the deep concepts that one is a created being, a fallen and sinful being, and a believer in the Messiah as savior with all that comes attached to them.

    What Happens After Death

    The writings of Scripture show that for the vast majority of people time will pass until the second resurrection (the first resurrection is for those martyred during the great tribulation). At that point, a judgment will be made on each person regarding their receiving eternal life or being sent to the second death. This judgment is based on one's acceptance of Yahshuah, the son of Yahveh, who is the Messiah and Savior that came and died on the cross to make atonement for our sins. Following this judgment, a new heaven and new earth will be created and Elohim will be with His people.

    The Questions about Goals

    What do I Want

    Once again, how a person answers this question will effect their entire life. If a person focuses only on the physical aspects of life, then life can become a matter of seeking pleasure and avoiding pain. With the inclusion of the spiritual level, matters of peace and righteousness become more important. If the value of a person's life becomes more than the value of pleasures in life then one is free from the bondage of materialism and selfishness and is able to spend time on things that are more important and to find great joy in those endeavors.

    How do I Know I have Honor

    Among the warrior cultures, the answer to this question simply comes in the form of fighting battles because honor is not a mental concept but rather is an action that must be demonstrated. Within Scripture, honor is given to those who obey the covenant law and are strong in their faith. Another word for this is righteousness. Yet these two ideas combine in living life in a fallen world because of the constant struggle between good and evil. Those who are believers must fight the inward and outward battles to remain righteous while surrounded by the evils of the world. It is not honor from man that is sought and often taken by force in this world. Instead, it is the honor from Elohim that must be given to a person and earned in their actions through faith.

    Which Kingdom am I Building

    In the secular world, most people are supporting and building many kingdoms or empires. This is not just the nation or country in which someone lives. It can involve whatever the person actively supports whether it be the local sports team or a movie franchise. For the believer, there are two kingdoms of importance. These are the raising of one's children and the Kingdom of Heaven. We help build the Kingdom of Heaven by being an example of the Almighty's people and showing the peace that comes with a relationship in Him through His Son. We help His kingdom to grow when we help others learn how to obey the covenant laws and be righteous in a fallen world.

    Todd Elder is a believer in the Messiah who wants to help people understand Scripture and know the message of Salvation. For more information from the Questions about Life series, please visit the
    website http://www.exploringsalvation.info and look under 'Life'.
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