A noted physician once said:
"Medical science is giving us longer life but no reason to live."

Is this all there is to life? Something seems wrong. What is it?

God created man and desires to have fellowship with him.

"God created man in his own image." (Genesis 1:27)

Man was created with:
1. the capacity for fellowship with God
2. a will (an ability to chose).

God wants our fellowship but He doesn't force us to love Him. The choice is ours.

Man was separated from God by the sin committed in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 2:17, 3:3-6, 3:23)

Sin is a deliberate chosing to do what is wrong and is a condition in which we are separated from God. Separation from God is spiritual death.

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

Nothing we can do of ourselves- good works, being baptized, joining a church, moral living- none of these can bring us into a right relationship with God. (see Ephesians 2:8-9) We are separated from God and unless something happens, we will be eternally separated. "And as it is appointed unto man once to die but after that the judgement." (Hebrews 9:27)

So, what is God's answer for man's helpless condition?

God continued to love us and sent His Son Jesus Christ to die to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus Christ is the only bridge by which we can come to God. "Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6)

"But God proved His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

If Christ died for all men, why aren't all men Christians? Because every man must make a personal response- by faith. "But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:12)

Once Christ comes into your life He wants to be your Lord and Master and give meaning and real purpose to your life. He can do this only as you allow Him to.

Let's summarize:

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

If you want to receive Christ you can pray the following prayer. Remember that becoming a real Christian is not just saying words but receiving a person- Christ.

"Dear Lord, I know that I have done wrong. I am willing to turn from my sins. I believe that Jesus Christ died for me. Please come into my life and forgive me of my sins. I receive you into my life as my Saviour and Lord as best I know how right now. Amen."

"And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son has not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:11-13)

Praise the Lord !!

(from Max Barnett's The Real Purpose of Life
- copies available thru: Student Office, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73112)