Why life’s meaning is elusive

I have sought to show that Jesus, affirming and demonstrating that he had come into the world from God his Father, is the key to getting authentic God-given answers to our essential questions about life, the universe, God, human fulfilment – and everything. 

I have shared, on that basis, that a harmonious relationship with our Maker is the key to the true purpose of our existence as persons made in his likeness – and this is the way to true human fulfilment because God loves us very much.

But why is this life-purpose so elusive? Why do so few people enjoy a loving relationship with God? Why do so few seem to show it in their lives?

Well, I have broached the subject of good and evil, and therein lies the problem. How can a good and holy God show his love for people whose lives are attached to their self-centred, godless, evil ways? Or rather, how can we, shameful transgressors of God’s commandments, ever reach any kind of agreement or connection with a pure and holy God? We intuitively realise there is a barrier obstructing that relationship, so it is not friendly as it should be, but rather fraught, anguished, fearful – if there is a relationship at all.

If only we could approach God knowing that he longs to put his loving arms around us and welcome us into his intimacy! We may sometimes hunger for such divine love, but at the same time we realise he must disapprove of us; so we prefer to keep God at a distance; we don’t want him to disturb us. This is the practical outworking of the sin principle within human nature since the Fall. 

Somehow this barrier must be overcome if we are to find true fulfilment; but how? Can we work our way into God’s good graces? Can we earn his friendship by our religious practice? Many have tried in the various religions of the world, and would like to think they are doing well. However, we cannot buy God’s forgiveness by doing good. Although many nourish that hope, it is ultimately of no avail.

Why is God so hard to find? Why does our search for fulfilment turn out to be so frustratingly elusive? Because there is only one way for the barrier to be broken down, and it is not something we can do “from our side”. The initiative comes from the God who loves us very much. 

We must realise that God is extraordinarily good and kind! His generous love is called “grace”: it’s the lovingkindness he shows to undeserving sinners. “Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1. 17). This is what Jesus brought at the cost of his life; it is only his coming and death for us that provides the way to remove the barrier that sin makes between us and God. 

So Jesus said, “I am the way… No one comes to the Father except by me” (John 14.6). That is the only way. Jesus says that if we try to find God’s life-fulfilling purpose without trusting him, we will never attain it! We must turn to him; he is the Saviour we need. Through him we can find forgiveness and enter into life which is truly fulfilling.

How grateful we should be that the insoluble human dilemma has an authentic, valid, real, effective answer! “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,” says Jesus, “and”, he promises, “I will give you rest” (Matthew 11.28).  

Clive Every-Clayton