The real purpose of our lives

There is a crucial fact that God our Creator told us from the very beginning of his revelation in the chapter of Genesis that Jesus quoted: it is that we are made “in his image”. Our purpose in life must correspond to what we really are – and we are image-bearers of our Creator God.

An image is a reflection, a likeness to, or a copy of, the original; we are meant to be like God – not in his infinite power and greatness, but in his personal character of love and goodness. God wants to see his virtues reflected in his human creatures. So as we go about our work and fulfil our family responsibilities, we are to show forth something of the glorious nature of our perfect God.

If this seems too idealistic to be feasible – and we all seem to fall short – I shall shortly deal with that issue. But I am starting out these explanations by looking at the pure and pristine creation of man and woman at the very start, before any imperfection arose; we’ll look again shortly at our difficulty actually living this out.

There are actually two aspects to this deep purpose of our existence: not only to be in God’s likeness, but also to be in good relationship with him. Here we are dealing (finally!) with the very essence of what it means to be a human being in the plan of God our Maker.

We should wonder – what does God want, in making people in his likeness? First, he wants to see his goodness reflected in his personal creatures – so we are to be kind, loving and holy as God is kind, loving and holy. This is absolutely fundamental to our human fulfilment.

But just as vital, is God’s desire to have a harmonious relationship with his personal creatures. Our personality enables us to enjoy personal relationships not only with other people, but also with God himself. Again, the fact that many know nothing of this in their experience does not mean that it is impossible: we’ll come back to that later. But a real relationship with God – what might that look like?

First, it means receiving God’s love for us, and loving him in return. I will develop this glorious theme in time to come; but our Creator loves us, and desires that we love him. In that relationship is the key to the greatest possible fulfilment and happiness that we can know.

Second, it means seeking to live a life that does indeed reflect God’s goodness and his kindness, his love and his holiness, in the world in which we live. When God as it were looks down on us, what does he want to see? People being kind to each other. Not for nothing did Jesus insist on his commandment to love our neighbour as ourselves. God is love, and he wants to see love – true, godly love – reflected in his creatures.

Thirdly, God wants us to share his purposes and collaborate with him in the world to see those purposes come to pass. We may be co-labourers with God to the end of seeing his will done on earth, his good and righteous will. And we begin by committing ourselves to it in response to his love for us. 

Clive Every-Clayton