Safely Home
By Randy Alcorn

"This book has been recommended to me by more people than any other book. An incredible story." - Steve H.

"Is this the day I die?" wonders Li Quan as he endures persecution for his faith. Half a world away his college buddy, businessman Ben Fielding, steps on the plane to China. Reunited after 20 years, both men face decisions that will determine their destinies---and the fates of their nations and the world. 400 pages, softcover from Tyndale.

Home > God > God does not exist > secular humanism > our purpose > our true purpose

What is our purpose?

Before I was a Christian I never could really understand love.

Our reason for being is all about love and our relationship with God.

Here's a question. What's most important in your life?

For most people it is other people who are the most important "things" in their life. Their sons and daughters; their family; their friends; other people. Life is about relationships.

We start with God's love for us:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:126 (NLT)

When we trust in Jesus (God) for our salvation, we are trusting in His great love for us. How can we not love God in return? And when we love God, do we not wish to do what God wants us to do?

"If you love Me, you will keep my commandments." - John 14:15 (NASB)

And if we keep God's commandments, God loves us even more.

"He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." - John 14:21 (NASB)

When we love God and obey Him, not only does His love for us increase, He opens Himself to us, disclosing Himself, creating a more intimate relationship.

Our purpose is to be in an ever closer relationship with the Creator of the universe, through our love and obedience to Him. Not because we are commanded to, but because we want to.

What happens when you get married? Do you have a secret ceremony and then hide away so no one will see you? Not usually. In all cultures marriage is essentially a great public celebration in which the man shows off his new wife and the woman shows off her new husband. The husband and wife love each other so much that they want to celebrate and show off this love to everyone.

That's what God does with us. He shows us off to the rulers and authorities in heaven. And as He displays His treasured bride (us), we glorify Him through our love and obedience.

"His [God's] intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly relms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Ephesians 3:10-11 (NIV)

Our purpose is to live in an eternal, glorious, happy, marriage-like relationship of love with God.