“Why am I here?
–Why does God allow suffering?
–Why isn’t God helping me?
–What’s the use of living?”

These are the most profound questions of the human heart. This article is a deep dive into the answers, so it’s not light reading. It presents a deeper understanding of the Everlasting Gospel (Revelation 14:6) and the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 24:14), which Jesus said would be preached in all the world as a witness before the end comes.

Please mouse-over ALL the Scriptures quoted below, and prove for yourself that this is true.

Your Role in God’s Eternal Family

Part 1: Our Astonishing Life Purpose

The Bible states our purpose is to behold our Creator, and with the help of God’s Spirit, mirror God – 2 Cor 3:18, reflecting back to God HIS glory, so that we may grow up into the fullness of Christ. This is the meaning of Eph 4:13, which reads

“until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.“

Also read John 14:20, John 15:4-11, and especially John 17:21-23 to see that the one God includes us in his family. Note what it says: “That they may also be ONE in US.”

For a full understanding of that, read my companion article: “How the Bible shows God is Not The Trinity.”

The Broken Wheel and God’s Plan

Using my wagon wheel illustrations, God’s intention is for His family to be like spokes in a wheel, all looking to Him, and revolving around Him as the central hub. The closer we get to God at the centre, the closer we will get to each other, and, the closer we get to each other, in brotherly love, the closer we will be to God!

But mankind at the moment is like a broken wheel… a broken wheel going nowhere. But God is changing all that.

2 Cor 6:18 is literal, not just some nice way of talking, as proven by the number of times the Bible states this. God means what He says! (John 17:17)

Romans 8:19 on this subject in the KJV is talking about creation waiting for us to fulfill our purpose. The J. B. Phillips translation says, ‘The whole creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own.’ Verse 29 reads, ‘For God, in his foreknowledge, chose them to bear the family likeness of his Son, that he might be the eldest of a family of many brothers.‘

Although God will not give his glory to others – (Isaiah 42:8 and 48:11) – those verses are qualified by 1 Thes 2:12 and Romans 8:29, which states that God intends for us to be made into the image of Christ. The Father is glorified when we bear good fruit. John 15:8.

Do not misunderstand. God is superior to us and always will be. We will worship God forever as Psalms 145:21 says. My mouth shall speak the praise of YHVH: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Hebrews 13:21 says Jesus Christ has glory forever as well, and John 17:22 says that we who are overcomers Rev 3:21 are to share in that glory! But Christ will always be greater.

The meaning and purpose of life is also stated in Revelation 21:7. God says here, if you overcome, YOU also will be HIS SON – literally. Overcoming and developing character is needed because God cannot take the evils and disharmony of this present chaotic world into heaven, OR into a future earth made new. That’s why people DON’T just die and automatically go to heaven, despite what you’ve been told.

The devil works hard to hide this truth, even from students of the Bible! John 10:10, Eph 6:11-12.

These truths have often been overlooked or suppressed in history, yet the Bible itself provides all the answers. The Bible EXPLAINS WHY your life purpose is above anything you can imagine!

Part 2: A Starting Point for Suffering

A short answer to why God allows suffering is to draw us to Him, to show us how helpless we are without Him, and teach us many lessons.

Just as cold is the absence of heat, and dark is the absence of light, evil is the absence of God. In the Bible, when God withdraws Himself, the result is calamity, and in this way, God says He creates evil. But evil is simply the absence of the goodness of God in any place or any situation.

Suffering is a negative. As with old fashioned camera film, you first need to have a negative in order to then create the positive finished photograph. Creating character in us is a process, and we do not see the final result until the process is finished. We are a creative work in progress. 1 John 3:2 explains this.

But this short answer doesn’t provide a complete answer. To understand more, we must first lay down a larger background of understanding.

Suffering, Free Will, and God’s Help

Hebrews 5:8,9 Though he (Jesus) were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Could this help explain the reason for suffering?

The purpose for suffering is to teach eternal lessons, and perfect us.

God is all-powerful, but because he allows everyone free will, he is not all-controlling.

In future, everyone in the entire universe will see the results of choices that are now being made, that go against God’s ways.

Choices always produce consequences.

Suffering is the result of breaking laws that God made to protect people from harm. The appalling results of mankind’s choices will become lessons and examples forever.

For the rest of eternity nobody will make such wrong choices ever again!

Suffering is the end result of breaking the laws of cause and effect, or else it is the end result that comes when our survival needs have not been met, and we try to fix the problem ourselves, without seeking God’s help.

And why isn’t God helping you? Well, he is, because you’re reading this!

We actually need some some challenges in order to grow. An Arab proverb says “Too much sunshine makes a desert!”

But many Scriptures confirm God’s willingness to help us when we come to Him.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 66:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 54:4 Behold, God (Elohim) is my helper; the Lord (YHVH) is the upholder of my life.

Hebrews 13:5-6 …for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

… and there are many more.

However, patience may be needed.

Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

You can have peace. According to Romans 8:28, if you love God, it is not possible for anything to come into your life that God does not keep track of, and you can be assured of an ultimately good result at the end of time.

Part 3: Finding and Living Your True Life Purpose

When you conform to the will of God, and ask God to bring YOUR purpose into line with GOD’S purpose for you, then God will help you even more. In fact, eventually, almost nothing will be withheld from you.

OVERCOMERS in this life are offered the almost shocking reward of ruling the universe with Christ, and sitting beside him on his throne in the next life! Read and think about Rev 3:21 and what it can possibly mean.

God’s promises should not be taken casually. Hebrews 11:37 for example, mentions people who gave up their lives to uphold God’s truths, who will be rewarded beyond measure when they are resurrected.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom (i.e. royal family reign & realm) of God (YHVH) and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

Plus the promise in 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

There are more promises, and it’s up to you to find them and claim them.

The Gospel That Makes It Possible

Jesus primarily taught about the gospel message of the Kingdom of God – see Mat 24:14, Mat 4:23 and Mark 1:14-15. Paul tended to emphasize the gospel about Christ. e.g. 1 Co 1:23, 1 Co 2:2, Rom 16:25. BOTH gospels are essential to understand and ‘obey’ (1 Pet 4:17), because Christ’s sacrifice makes our entrance into God’s family possible.

Miss out on understanding this, and you risk perishing and not living forever: John 3:16,

Also read John 5:24, John 10:28-30, Romans 6:23, and 1 John 5:11 & 12.

According to verse 12 you do not have an “immortal soul” without Christ. This is what the Bible really teaches.

Because the law of God requires justice be done where sin occurs, and we cannot pay the penality, Jesus paid the price on our behalf, so that mercy and justice are both satisfied. This doesn’t mean we can continue to sin with abandon. Baptism by full immersion in water (Col 2:12, Acts 2:38, 1 Pet 3:21) is obedience to the gospel because it pictures our death and resurrection to a new life, made possible by Christ’s death and resurrection, where Christ lives and reigns in us, not sin. Romans 8:29 says Jesus was the first born among many brethren. The many brethren are those who also die and are resurrected – symbolically dying to their old selves and living for Christ in an ongoing process of renewal.

In teaching this, Paul also taught that God’s kingdom is a mental state of being. See both Romans 14:17 and Romans 1:17.

Conclusion: God’s Sevenfold Plan For Your Life

One aspect of our purpose is to do good works, but our good works are the RESULT, not the cause, of our salvation. We cannot get salvation from our good works. Our future is judged by our degree of submission to God, and trust in Him and His righteousness, not our own.

God is still in the process of creating humans (including you), and developing them into his image, after his own likeness, as per Genesis 1:26. We are God’s literal children: 1 John 3:2, being transformed by the renewing of our minds: Romans 12:2.

When you submit your life to God, he becomes your father in a very literal sense. John 1:12-13 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (NIV)

God wants you to have joy. Matt 25:23, John 15:11 and dozens of other places confirm this. Understanding your deeper purpose will expand your joy. 1 John 1:3-4.

Therefore, your purpose in life will be redirected to draw nearer to God. You will pursue God’s will rather than your own. You will respect God’s commandments because they are your Father’s guidelines for living an ideal life.

If you do this you will become a disciple of Christ. Jesus spoke to the Jews and said if you abide in my word then you are truly disciples of mine – John 8:31. This means if you abide in Jesus’ words, you can be a disciple also, and be clothed with power!

Speaking to his disciples, Jesus said You shall be clothed with power from on high – Luke 24:49 ASV. The KJV says endued with power. The Greek word for power here is dunamis, which means power that is miraculous. That means, as a disciple, you are able to use heavenly power, and are not limited to earthly resources! Phil 4:19 says God will supply all your needs by Christ Jesus. Phil 4:13 & 19. Psalm 34:10, Prov 21:21 (NIV), Eph 3:20, and the last section of Matthew 6.

When you understand that God is your source Pslm 68:19, John 15:7, etc, your priorities will go beyond your present needs, and extend out to helping others.

It helps to realise God mainly works through people. 2 Cor 6:16 says YOU are the temple of God. I’ve heard it said that the purpose of life, that God has for you, is to be a subcontractor, building God’s custom home! But there’s even more:

WE are supposed to be His arms, His legs, His compassion, and His very life, as an extension of God’s Family Kingdom on earth NOW – not only in the future. Eph 2:10. (Offsite cross references here.)

Check out the pop-up verses that follow.

In summary, when you follow Christ you are:

1) Forgiven, (Eph 4:32, 1 Jhn 2:12, Acts 13:38)
2) Raised from the Dead, (Rom 8:11, 2 Co 5:17, Co 3:1)
3) Cleansed, (Rev 1:5, 1 John 1:7)
4) Transformed and translated into God’s kingdom in this life now, (Rom 12:2, Gal 3:27, Col 1:13)
5) Blessed, (Jer 17:7, Luke 11:28, Eph 1:3, Rev 1:3)
6) Empowered, (Luke 24:49, 1 Co 2:5, Col 2:10)
and
7) Called to shine! (Matt 5:15, Pro 4:18, Phil 2:15, Col 1:13, 2 Co 4:6, 2 Pe 1:19, Matt 5:16)

That is God’s intended purpose for your life.

It’s an extra dimension of the true gospel message.

It’s the amazing reason why you were born!

. . . . .

Supplemental videos on life purpose produced by other people:

“Your identity is a facet of the identity of God.”

“Why does the clock keep ticking? …”