The Bible teaches that the meaning of life is found in knowing, loving, and glorifying God, and enjoying relationship with him forever. Made in his image and for his glory (Isaiah 43:7), our chief purpose is to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37–39).
Made by God and for God
The Bible says we were created by God and for God — for his glory and for relationship with him. That's why nothing else fully satisfies: we were made for something, Someone, bigger than ourselves. Ecclesiastes tries everything under the sun and finds it empty apart from God.
Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
Every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
To know and love God
Jesus said eternal life — the truest life — is to know God. The greatest commandments are to love God with all we are and to love our neighbour as ourselves. A meaningful life, then, is one lived in loving relationship with God and others.
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.
Quick answers
- Why am I here?
- The Bible's answer is that you were made by God, in his image, for relationship with him and to reflect his glory. Your life has meaning because it comes from and is meant for God.
- Why does nothing seem to satisfy?
- Ecclesiastes explores this: pleasure, wealth, and achievement all leave a person empty because we were made for God. As Augustine put it, our hearts are restless until they rest in him.
- How do I find my purpose?
- It begins with knowing God through Christ, then loving him and others, and using your gifts to serve. Purpose is found not by looking inward alone but by looking to the God who made you.
