Finding Meaning in Life

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The Priorities of Life

Phil 1:21-16

“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

                  Paul was sitting in prison with a possible death sentence.  As Paul wrote this letter to the church at Philippi, he faced an uncertain future.  While he was hopeful and confident that he would be released, he had no assurance that this would happen.  Confronted with the reality of death, Paul had time to reflect upon life. 

                  When confronted with the reality of death, it takes us to the core meaning of life.  It confronts us with the question, “At the end of life, what really matters?”  This is no idle question.  Tragically, too few people contempt this reality.  They live for the moment and give little thought to the end of life.   Yet death is the great equalizer.  No matter who we are, no matter how great our success or how extensive our financial portfolio is, when death descends upon us, all these things are no longer necessary, for they have no value at the end of life.  What is the meaning of life when everything we have achieved has become meaningless and of no value? Does death render all of life meaningless, a tragic eraser that devalues all that we have achieved? Is there something that has value beyond the grave that gives meaning and significance to the present?  The answer is yes!

                  As Paul confronts death, he discovers that there is something that gives meaning to life and something that gives us purpose in the present and that is our relationship with Christ.  First, our relationship with Christ gives us hope beyond the grave.  Paul realized that death was not the end of life. When we have accepted Christ’s salvation, we are given a new hope—eternal life.  Faith enabled Paul to see beyond the grave and the glories of eternal life that go far beyond our greatest imagination.  With Christ, we have victory over death (1 Cor. 15:56-57).  Furthermore, Christ has prepared for an eternal home we cannot comprehend (1 Cor. 2:9).  This was Paul’s hope and longing.  Death is not the end of life but the beginning of life to the fullest.

                  Second, the reality of death gave clarity to Paul regarding the present as well.  It served to define his goals and objectives in life.  It realigned his priorities.  The meaning and purpose of life are thus found in the service of Christ and the advancement of His kingdom.  At the end of his life, what mattered was not his accomplishments or the prosperity he achieved but who he influenced for Christ.  His impact upon others for the cause of Christ was the purpose of life.  While he saw heaven as the ultimate prize, he saw his service to the gospel as his ultimate purpose in life.

                  What is your goal and purpose in life?  Is it centered upon what is temporal or what is eternal?  Is it driven by the desires of the present or the pursuit of the infinite?  The greatest tragedy in life is not the tragedy of death; it is the tragedy of being successful in things that do not have any value for eternity.  The greatest failure is to succeed only in what is temporary.  As long as we remain on this earth, we should prioritize influencing people with the gospel of Christ.  That is God’s purpose for us and gives our life meaning, significance, and direction. 

 

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