Humankind is a perpetual victim of ‘Existential Crisis’. Since time immemorial, humans have been in search of reasons for existence and the purpose of living between the terminal ends of both sin and virtue. This complex situation that humankind finds oneself trapped in has also made him turn to God and religion.
What is the True Purpose of Human Existence?
Man is the crown of God’s creation. The Bible says that God created man in His own image (Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female . God formed man out of the dust of the ground, breathed into him and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7). But the Bible also says that the first man fell into sin when he disobeyed God and became dead towards God and His purpose for which He had created man. And so, every man born into this world, irrespective of caste, creed, sex, status, social background, education is dead in trespasses and sins and without God in the world ( Ephesians 2:12)
Today man has advanced intellectually, scientifically and technologically far beyond the past civilizations however man is also on a rapid spiritual deterioration and moral declension. No amount of the best of education, gaining the most advanced knowledge seems to be able to save man from this spiritual and moral declension. Never in the history of mankind, perhaps, has ‘sin’ been so legalized and presented as an acceptable way of life as now, even in this country and in this very state of ours, Nagaland. The conscientious line between evil and good has become totally blurred and a heavy cloud of spiritual and moral confusion, delusion, frustration, and destruction hangs over this generation of ours, despite our loud boasting of highly advanced lifestyles, entertainment, and the latest social media gadgets. The root cause of this spiritual and moral downslide I believe is because, man despite his immense capacity and achievements, can never know the purpose of his existence apart from truly knowing the Eternal God, who has created him. Not knowing the purpose of one’s existence leads to meaninglessness, hopelessness, deeply affecting one’s spiritual and moral life, with no direction and eventually ends up in spiritual wilderness.
Mere behavioral reforms, psychological gimmicks, worldly philosophy, and other man-originated means and methods may be good and work to some extent, but they can never change the constitution of man in his inward being. Human life is a great mystery, even so, human nature and man can never truly understand it by himself. I quote the very familiar Sunday school verse (John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life). And what is this everlasting life? Again (John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent). So from these two verses, we perceived that God so loved us that He gave His only begotten Son so that we may not perish in spiritual and moral meaninglessness but know the one and only true God and Jesus Christ, for this is the meaning of Eternal Life. Eternal Life is therefore not just a life that will go on into eternity only after we die physically however it begins in Christ, the day He comes into our lives as our Lord and Saviour, right here when we are in this physical body. To go on knowing Him and in and through Him knowing Eternal God. God’s purpose therefore, for man is not to just live and end in human life and nature we are born with all its aspects of good and evil. For man is born with a life that is dead towards God and which has no knowledge of the living God. But God’s great love is to impart to man, who is dead in sin, His own divine life, in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ alone becomes the new, divine life and constitution in every man, whosoever repent of his sin and receive Christ into his life as his Lord and Saviour (this is what it means to be Born-Again).
God’s purpose is in having Christ in our lives and knowing Him progressively in and through the Holy Spirit, with a daily walk of faith and obedience to be conformed in the likeness of Christ (Romans 8:29 For whom He did fore know, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren). We know how fragile and uncertain human life is (James 4:14). It is like a vapor, here now and can be gone the next moment. Therefore, can man truly boast in himself, say that he is sufficient and does not need God? Does he have the answer to life/ death? Let each one of us answer it honestly.
The Bible says, Jesus Christ came to the earth and though He was sinless, He suffered and died for our sins. And that He rose again from the dead, so that we may also be conformed to the likeness of Christ and be with Him where He is, ruling and reigning above all powers, thrones, and principalities. (Colossians 1:16 For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: )
Revelation 3:21 – “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in His throne”. In our Lord Jesus Christ alone is the spiritual and moral victory over every sin and death. Jesus Christ alone is the way, the truth, the life and resurrection and in Him alone is the continual and complete deliverance from spiritual and moral declension; and death, AMEN.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Dr. Pfokrelo Kapesa, Webei Tsühah, Meren and Kvulo Lorin.
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