(And the Meaning of Life)
(Note: This Article, The Search for Immortality, (And the Meaning of Life) , was written by Tommy Davis, one of the members of the West Side congregation. I commend the article to you).
A few weeks ago, as my family and I watched a movie, I noticed a recurring theme in all forms of literature and movies — the search for immortality. This is not a recent phenomenon. The Egyptian pharaohs went to great lengths to achieve immortality. In fact, their culture almost revolved around the afterlife and immortality. Legends exist from nearly every society about those searching for the magic elixir that will let them live forever. What a colossal waste of time! From the day man was created, we have been immortal souls. We die as a direct consequence of our own sin. God gave us all a soul that will live forever; however, our problem comes because men want to live forever on earth. Why? It is a broken place full of death, disease, and heartache because of sin.
I have lived with the consequences of my sins (none of which were fun): heartache and pain, separation from God and shame. I have struggled with events because we live in a broken world: illness, feeling powerless as my wife was told she had cancer, being saddened by the death of friends and family and watching and waiting helplessly as my daughter struggled to regain her health. Oh there are things I enjoy and remember fondly: the day I was baptized, the day I was married, the birth of my children, the smile and warmth of my beloved wife, the days my children were baptized, and more fleshly activities like football and of course eating good food (no surprise there). There is one other joy only Christians have; the hope of everlasting life. While I enjoy life, I am just a pilgrim waiting to go to my true home. I am looking forward to no pain and suffering in the presence of our Lord for an eternity.
Proverbs 12:1-14 tells what we find throughout the entire Bible; after we die, we return to our creator for our final home. We learn that death doesn’t end our existence, it just ends our ability to shape our future. Remember the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16? The rich man died and wanted a small drop of water to cool himself from the torment and to warn his family, but Abraham explained that was not possible. There are no second chances after we die.
This is where the meaning of life comes into play. When we obey God and commit ourselves to service in Christ’s kingdom, we have answers to questions about the meaning of life and immortality. The preacher expressed both in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Verse 13 talks to the meaning of life, i.e. we will only have happy, fulfilled lives when we serve God completely. It is all that matters. Verse 14 explains why this is true; we will live forever, either with God or in everlasting punishment.
In light of this, Peter’s admonition still rings true: “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?” 2 Peter 3:11.
