A Meaningful Life: Death is not final
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. … Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.””(NKJV) John 14:1,6.
"And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. (NKJV) 1 Corinthians 15:17;19
Life has an origin and definitely has a destination so life is meaningful. There are many who hold the view that life ends with death but have failed to find a reason to the why and when. In view of the belief that death ends it all, men over the years have sought to find ways to satisfying life. These groups have not only failed to find the truth but have lacked fulfilment.
In ages past, Greece tried to define meaningful life in the essence of wisdom and ‘know thyself’ maxim. This is the culture our education systems are hinged on.
Romans defined it in the essence of strength and discipline which characterise our military systems today.
Judaism defined meaningful life in the essence of holiness and conforming to oneself.
None of these ways has given men fulfilment and does not lead to eternity. The real essence of life is striving for eternity. Modernity and science today are making huge investments in longevity drugs. It has not and will not change the fact that mortal man will pass away from this earth.
What then is the hope for Christians if all men (except those who will be alive at the second coming of our Lord) will die and there will be no account for the life we spent on this terrestrial ball? For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable (1 Corinthians 15:16-19, NKJV).
Christ being the first fruit to rise from the dead, has shown and led the way to life eternal (1 Corinthians 15:20; 1 John 1:1-3; Luke 10:25). Let us strive to obtain this life (Philippians 2:12).
Conclusion:
1. Life is meaningful.
2. Christ is the way to this life and life after.
3. Failure cannot stop us from obtaining eternal life if we will rise above it.
4. Do not be deceived, death is not final.
5. Christ our example has traversed the WAY and now tells us the TRUTH that He is the LIFE eternal (John 14:6).