January 5, 2000

_Editor's note:
___Beginning with this issue, Bible study lessons will be printed one week in advance. For example, this week's lessons are for a week from Sunday—Jan. 16.



EXPLORE THE BIBLE:
An eternal answer to an ancient question
___ Genesis 1:27-28a; Psalm 139:13-15; Matthew 18:10,14; 19:13-15
___By Ellis Orozco
___Calvary Baptist Church, McAllen
___It is perhaps the most ancient question known to man: What is the purpose of life?
___The literary genius Thoreau said, "Most men live lives of quiet desperation." Is life really as Shakespeare had Macbeth describe it, "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing?"
___I think not. The Bible confirms that life not only has purpose and meaning, but it also is precious and sacred along the way.
___ Life in the image of God (Genesis 1:27-28a). God created humanity, male and female, in his own image. To be created in God's image means we have a dignity, a destiny and a freedom that is unique in all of God's creation.
___Our ultimate dignity lies in our role as God's image-bearers. Our worth is multiplied exponentially because we were created to be infinite beings, our destiny being to live with God forever. And finally, our lives are invaluable because we alone were created with the freedom to accept or reject our own creator.
___ Life in the presence of God (Psalm 139:13-15). David writes one of his most beautiful poems in exaltation of the omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence of the living God. Our lives have infinite value because God is infinitely aware and concerned about us (Psalm 139:1-4). Our lives have inherent worth because God is always with us (Psalm 139:7-8). Our lives are sacred because God's strong hand sustains us (Psalm 139:9-10).
___God is not only with us everywhere we go, he is with us in places we cannot go. He is with us in our inmost being (Psalm 139:13). The word translated "inmost being" is literally "kidney," which to the Hebrew mindset was the seat of desires and longings. God is in the deepest recesses of the soul where no one else dares to go.
___Before we could even know him, "in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13), he knew us and cared for us. So sacred and hallowed are the perspective, presence and power of God that there is no place hidden from him.
___ Life in the grace of God (Matthew 18:10, 14). The little ones in Matthew 18:10, 14 are a direct reference to Matthew 18:2-6 where Jesus compares a newborn Christian to a little child. If anyone harms or kills a human life, they have committed a great sin. But if anyone harms or kills a person's spiritual life, Jesus indicates they have committed just as great a sin. We are valuable because of God's grace working in us.
___ Life in the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:13-15). Our lives are of great worth because we are citizens of God's kingdom. The disciples did not perceive the little children to be as important as the adults who were coming to Jesus (and probably donating money to his ministry). But Jesus is no respecter of person or position (Acts 10:34).
___Every life has equal value and worth in God's eyes because every life is either a citizen or potential citizen of God's kingdom.
___John Wesley said, "I want the whole Christ for my Savior, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship, and the whole world for my mission field." How's that for a divine perspective on life?

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