“Where did I come from?” “Why am I here?” and “Where am I going?” These are the three greatest questions one can ask and answer.
The evolutionist says that we came from non-life. That is as unscientific as one can get! If you can believe that man, who has a conscience, came from matter which does not have a conscience, you have more faith than the Christian who believes he came from God. The Bible clearly answers the first question.
“Where did we come from?” The answer is: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness,’” (Genesis 1:26). “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being,” (Genesis 2:7). When Paul was arguing with the atheistic philosophers in Athens, he argued from their poets who said that we were the offspring of God. Paul’s conclusion was therefore, God must not be gold, silver, or stone. The fact that we have life indicates that our originator has life.
“Why are we here?” If we are here because we came from non-life – just matter, we have no purpose on earth. It doesn’t matter why we are here. Every man’s purpose can be different, and no one can say that one man’s purpose is greater than another man’s purpose. But, since we came from God, we have a God-given purpose. Speaking of man’s purpose on earth God said, “Whom I have created for My glory,” (Isaiah 43:7). We have a purpose in life – to glorify God. Are we doing that? How do we do that?
We glorify God by our good works. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven,” (Matthew 5:16). We can glorify God by maintaining unity in the brotherhood. Paul argued for the Jews and Gentiles to be united “so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Romans 15:6).
We can glorify God by keeping our bodies pure. After a lengthy discussion of sexual immorality, Paul commanded the Corinthians, “therefore glorify God in your body,” (I Corinthians 6:20). Since we live in such a sexually immoral society, this may be one of the greatest areas where we can glorify God and be a shining light to a crooked a perverse world (Philippians 2:15-16).
“Where are we going?” This should be the most sobering question of the three. This speaks of life beyond the grave. Where are we going when our physical bodies wear-out? This is the question most folks do not want to answer because it speaks of accountability. Our society detest accountability! Each person wants to live as he wants to live without answering to anyone. But there is a day of eternal accountability coming! Jesus said, “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life; those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment,” (damnation, KJV). (John 5:28-29).
God has given assurance that there is such a day by raising Jesus from the dead. Again, Paul gave this as proof to the atheists in Athens when he said, “God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead,” (Acts 17:30-31).
Where are you going? There are only two eternal destinations – heaven or hell. Jesus promised the faithful, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God believe also in Me. In My father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you; If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also,” (John 14:1-3). But Jesus also said, “Then He will also say to those on His left ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels,’” (Matthew 25:41).
Conclusion
What is your answers to each of these three great questions? Where did you come from? Why are you here? Where are you going? The last question should motive you to answer the first two questions correctly. God has done all that He can do to get you to heaven. The devil is pulling you one way; God is pulling you the other way. You will decide who wins this tug-of-war and that will determine where you go.
Wayne Burger