There are many things people live for: cars, children, spouse, fame, houses, or education. What about you? Have you thought about your reason for living? What is your primary purpose in life? What do you tell your children the primary purpose of their lives ought to be? Maybe you have some answers to most of these questions. You need to be sure that you have the correct answers.

You may start to wonder: How do I know what is right and where do I find out what is right? I believe the Bible tells what is right. The reason I believe the Bible teaches truth is that the Bible claims to be the truth, and it demonstrates its own truth. With the help of God's Spirit, you can know that it is truth. To further back this up, true science has never proved the Bible wrong.

Now let's go back to my first question: What is your primary purpose in life? Note I said primary purpose, since you do have many purposes in life. The Bible says that man's primary purpose is to glorify God.

Is it to truly glorify God? I Cor. 10:31 says: "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." This is very encompassing in scope. It means even taking a shower is to the glory of God, since taking a shower is good for the body that was made to serve God. It means that recycling waste material is glorifying to God because you are to be good stewards of the things he has provided. It means when you rest or exercise you are glorifying God, since both things are good for your body which must serve God. God expects that you glorify him in everything you say, do and think.

Most importantly, you must glorify God in what you believe and how you worship. But man can't glorify God.

Sin - it separates you from God. Outwardly you might look like you are doing good things. But without the proper attitude and relationship with God you are only doing what appears to be good works. You may do well in your job. You many occasionally give money to a charity or even to a church. But God knows your heart. He says that one sin is enough to separate you from himself.

You are not able to talk your way out of this with God by showing your good works. Jeremiah 17:9 says: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" The answer implies that only God knows the heart, not man. Even you do not know how evil your heart is. Romans 3:23 says: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

This means no one is excluded and it includes you.

Spiritual death. Spiritual death means that you are now separated from God. You are dead toward God. Consequently, you are not glorifying and loving him as you ought. Romans 6:23 says: "For the wages (payment) of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." And since all have sinned, all are dead. That includes you.

Life, of course. Ephesians 2:4-6 say: "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus..." The Bible also says that you must be born again (spiritually). It should become clear to you that you cannot do this yourself.

Life does not come by good works. Ephesians 2:8-9 say: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

Works glorifying to God, only come after new life.

Some think that getting a heart transplant and living is most remarkable, but God makes the spiritually dead man alive. Ezekiel 36:26 says: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Adam, the first man God made, sinned and all men lost contact with God. Only God gives spiritual life.

He gives life out of pure love. Romans 5:8 says: "But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Jn 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."

God gives life to anyone who asks. Romans 10:13 says: "Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

God gives life through his son, Jesus Christ. It was through Christ that God gave man physical life (Colossians 1:16), and it is through Christ that God gives man spiritual life (John 1:3-4). He had to pay the penalty for your sins as your substitute. Because God is just, he could not ignore your sins. Ephesians 2:1 says: "And you He (Christ) made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked..." Christ had to die.

Repent of your sins, believe that Christ died for your sins, and live as God calls you to live. You need to be truly sorry for your sins. Luke 13:3 says: "...but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Acts 16:31 says: "So they said: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Acts. 2:41-42 say: "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in apostles' doctrines and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."

You are at peace with God again. He is no longer angry with you. You are justified (declared righteous) before God. Galatians 2:16 says: "...knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Christ Jesus..."

You are adopted as his child. Romans 8:12-17 say: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out: "Abba, Father." The Spirit of God himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, with all the rights and privileges as his children.

You are sanctified (set apart) by God. With his help you become more obedient and truly able to glorify him with your words, thoughts and actions.

You are eternally secure. You never have to live in fear again. Romans 8:35 says: "What shall separate you from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" The implication is that nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. John 10:28-29 say: "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand." Something that is eternal, like eternal life, cannot cease to be eternal life, otherwise it would not be eternal life.

The Bible says so. II Timothy 3:16-17 say: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Do you now understand you are unable to glorify God and enjoy him like you ought to? There is no hope of glorifying God based on the good works you do. Your heart needs to be changed first. Would you pray and ask him now to change your heart and give you that heart of flesh - that new heart? Only then will you be able to glorify God. Did you pray? If you have, please call or write us so we can help you learn more about the Bible and teach you to study it for yourself.

You will regularly need to pray, read your Bible, worship God with other believers. We are willing to help.

Or if you would like to discuss this most important topic further, please give us a call.

We invite you to join us in glorifying the God of heaven every Sunday.

New Horizon Church

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Link: http://newhorizonchurch.faithweb.com