Why Are We Here?
The Meaning of Life and the Good News of the Gospel
Why are we here?
What is life all about?
Does anything in this world truly matter?
The Bible, the Word of God, gives clear and satisfying answers to these questions. Those answers were carefully summarized by Christians several centuries ago:
“Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.”
— Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q.1
To glorify God and enjoy Him, you must understand the gospel—the good news that God has revealed about how sinners are reconciled to Him.
The Great Problem
The gospel is the best news you will ever hear, because it addresses the greatest problem every person faces.
God is the holy, eternal, Triune Creator: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He made all things, rules over all things, and will judge all people according to His perfect and righteous law (Gen. 1; Ps. 96; Rom. 2:5–6).
The problem is this: God is holy, and we are not.
Every human being is born with a sinful nature and lives in continual rebellion against God (Ps. 51:5; Rom. 3:10–18; Eph. 2:1–3). We break God’s law daily in our thoughts, words, and actions. Even our very best efforts fall infinitely short of the righteousness God requires.
Because God is just and pure, He does not approve of evil or fellowship with sin (Hab. 1:13). Left to ourselves, we stand guilty before Him, deserving His righteous judgment and eternal separation from His presence (Rom. 6:23).
If this were the end of the story, life would indeed be hopeless.
But God…
“But God, being rich in mercy…” (Eph. 2:4)
In His eternal purpose and sovereign grace, God chose to save for Himself a people that no one can number (Eph. 1:4–5; Rev. 7:9). The Father gave this people, the Church, to His Son as a gift, and the Son willingly came into the world to redeem them.
Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became truly man. He lived a perfectly obedient, sinless life under God’s law. Then, at the cross, He bore the full penalty for the sins of His people, satisfying God’s justice in their place (Isa. 53; Rom. 3:24–26; 2 Cor. 5:21). Three days later He rose from the dead, proving that salvation had been fully accomplished.
In time, the Holy Spirit applies this redemption by giving spiritual life to those whom the Father chose and the Son redeemed (John 3:3–8; Eph. 2:4–5). By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, sinners are justified and reconciled to God (Eph. 2:8–9; Rom. 5:1).
All who are brought by God to repent of their sin and trust in Christ are adopted into God’s family, united to Christ forever, and made members of His Church (John 1:12–13; Rom. 8:15–17).
The Core Truths of the Gospel
God Is Holy
Scripture: Genesis 1–2; Psalm 19; Revelation 4
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” — Isaiah 6:3
God is the source of all that exists. He created mankind to know Him, love Him, serve Him, and enjoy Him forever. His character is perfectly holy and righteous.
Man Is Sinful
Scripture: Genesis 3; Romans 5–6; 1 John 1
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23
Through Adam’s sin the whole human race fell. Every person is born sinful and lives in rebellion against God, justly deserving His judgment.
Jesus Christ Is the Only Savior
Scripture: John 3; John 10; Matthew 28; 1 Peter 3
“There is salvation in no one else.” — Acts 4:12
Jesus Christ alone has accomplished salvation. He lived without sin, died as a substitute for His people, and rose in victory over sin and death.
Repentance and Faith
Scripture: John 5; Acts 17; Ephesians 2
“Repent and believe in the gospel.” — Mark 1:15
God commands all people everywhere to repent of their sin and trust in Christ alone for salvation. Those who believe are clothed with Christ’s perfect righteousness and granted eternal life.
The New Life of the Christian
Scripture: 1 John; 1 Corinthians 6
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
When God saves a person, He gives them a new heart and a new life. Though believers still struggle with sin, they are progressively transformed by the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Christ through sanctification (Rom. 8:29; 1 Thess. 4:3).
Life in God’s Family and Church
Scripture: Matthew 28; John 1; Ephesians 1
Galatians 4:3–7
God adopts believers as His sons and daughters. Through baptism they are admitted into the visible Church. Christians ordinarily live their Christian lives as members of a local church, where Christ nourishes His people through the means of grace, His Word, sacraments, and prayer (Acts 2:42; WSC 88).
In the church, Christ provides elders and deacons to shepherd His people and care for their spiritual and practical needs (Eph. 4:11–13; 1 Tim. 3).
An Invitation
If you desire to learn more about this life in Christ and His Church, we warmly invite you to visit Christ Church Presbyterian and discover the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.