Today, points are shared that speak to the divine purposes for the existence of mankind. Several prophets and spokespersons sent from GOD have cried, What is man? Their intent was neither to condemn divinity, nor to curse mankind. Rather, they were calling for relief from GOD while expressing desperation and frustration that life appears too short, is overly difficult, has too few moments of genuine joy, and can be utterly unsatisfying. A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Esmeralda” (Level 1 with 143 points, a member since October 26, 2016) posted the following:
What is the reason for our existence?
do you think that we were created to just live, do whatever we want then die? or that there is actually a purpose for all our lives.
Update: Guys, I know the reason for my existence, I'm asking about YOUR opinion.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaints; Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions: So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life. I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity. What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment? How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself? And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be. (Job 7: 13-21, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Creator is Different (10/31/2017); From Dust Thou Art (09/07/2017); “Occupy Till I Come” (08/30/2017); The Quality of Life? (03/29/2017); Reflections on Existence (12/19/2016); Eternal Life From GOD (10/24/2016); Life Is In Blood (12/08/2015); All Is Vanity? (07/28/2015)
“Esmeralda”, here, are some points to consider that might help many avoid spiritual confusion:
(1.) As mature thinkers, we usually attribute “motives”, “purpose”, and “reason” to living individuals who display intellect and mind. When you ask, What is the reason, we tend to respond, The “reason” given by whom? Whose reason? And, Are you asking us to tell you GOD’s reason? Are you really ready to accept what someone else will tell you that they have received from GOD?
(2.) As a matter of human expression, there might be countless responses that describe specific aims, goals and objectives of the living, yet, do not answer such features as a desire “to exist” or “the will to live” (that we often deal with as though it means the same as “intent”) among the living.
(3.) Everything that exists does not have life; thus, a cadaver or corpse may exist. A “living soul” requires life essence (i.e., breath, spirit, Word) imparted from the makeup of GOD as well as a material form such as the human body.
(4.) Resurrection of the body as a Christian belief, acknowledges that ones spirit continues on some plane of existence such as limbo or purgatory—that is not a sphere of life such as earth, heaven, the universe—even though the material body has been destroyed.
(5.) For mature Christians, created beings and living creatures exist as emanations and expressions of divine order, eternal purpose, and sovereign will. Where the living have received fresh endowments of the inseparable aspects of spirit imparted from GOD, they will “appear”, display sacred image, and serve as divine offspring (we say, joint heirs with Christ, the children of GOD).
(6.) Completeness, existence, life, person, and presence are important aspects of divine fullness. Where we understand our own desire to call out and hear an echo, many of us also understand why GOD would prepare mankind to be an immortal, incorruptible companion.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (7.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
A brief Scripture study is shared, today, focused upon the reason for our peculiar hopes as Christian believers. While this blog is a personal acknowledgement of GOD, and a special instrument intended to nourish spiritual life in others, I am not affiliated with any incorporated ministry, and I do not solicit donations or gifts. Therefore, trusting that it is no one’s intent to make merchandise of the holy writings, and that this is a correct, respectful, and “fair use” of copyrighted materials, I present selected verses from the Internet site BibleGateway.com online presentation of the New International Version (NIV) [Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®].
SOME THOUGHTS ON
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1st Peter 3: 15, NIV)
1st Chronicles 29: 11-15 (NIV) 11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.
Job 4: 4-8 (NIV) 4 Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees. 5 But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed. 6 Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope? 7 “Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed? 8 As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.
Job 5: 8-16 (NIV) 8 “But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. 9 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. 10 He provides rain for the earth; he sends water on the countryside. 11 The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. 12 He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. 13 He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away. 14 Darkness comes upon them in the daytime; at noon they grope as in the night. 15 He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth; he saves them from the clutches of the powerful. 16 So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.
Job 8: 8-15 (NIV) 8 “Ask the former generation and find out what their ancestors learned, 9 for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow. 10 Will they not instruct you and tell you? Will they not bring forth words from their understanding? 11 Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water? 12 While still growing and uncut, they wither more quickly than grass. 13 Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. 14 What they trust in is fragile; what they rely on is a spider’s web. 15 They lean on the web, but it gives way; they cling to it, but it does not hold.
Job 11: 17-19 (NIV) 17 Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. 18 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. 19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.
Job 17: 13-15 (NIV) 13 If the only home I hope for is the grave, if I spread out my bed in the realm of darkness, 14 if I say to corruption, ‘You are my father,’ and to the worm, ‘My mother’ or ‘My sister,’ 15 where then is my hope—who can see any hope for me?
Psalms 25: 1-9 (NIV) 1 In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. 2 I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. 4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good. 8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
Psalms 69: 13 (NIV) 13 But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.
Romans 5: 1-5 (NIV) 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
2nd Corinthians 1: 9-11 (NIV) 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
2nd Corinthians 3: 9-12 (NIV) 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! 12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
Ephesians 1: 18-23 (NIV) 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ephesians 2: 11-13 (NIV) 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
1st Thessalonians 5: 7-9 (NIV) 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2nd Timothy 2: 24-26 (NIV) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
1st Timothy 4: 8-10 (NIV) 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
There is far more to be said, properly shared, and spiritually understood. Again, readers are asked to add any verse or passage from Scripture that they would like to share in the comments area (see below). Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to the workings of the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth, and the Testimony of Jesus in you. Grow in grace.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4: 3-6, NIV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
