How the Gospel Changes our Meaning and Purpose

"God is dead." Maybe you've heard that turn of phrase before, but let's take a moment to unpack Friedrich Nietzsche's phrase. Nietzsche observed the waning influence of Christianity in the face of scientific progress, secularism, and modernity. He saw this decline as a cultural shift where the foundations of morality and meaning were being questioned. He believed that without a divine being to provide objective moral truths, humans were left to create their own values, potentially leading to nihilism—the belief that life is meaningless.

Where are we?

Nietzsche's words, written in the 1880s, have played out over time. The early 20th century saw a rise in pragmatism, shifting meaning and purpose to the individual and what they could provide to society. Post-modernism further challenged the idea of universal narratives, suggesting that meaning is constructed through individual experiences. This shift has left many clamoring for values and meaning upon which to build a sense of purpose and identity, visible in art, literature, education, and public policy.

Today, the quest for meaning is evident in social media. The next generation strives for significance through likes, followers, and views, a stark contrast to finding meaning in something outside oneself. This shift has contributed to a rise in mental health issues, suicides, and addiction. When we have no firm foundation upon which to base our lives, what hope is there?

What does the Gospel have to say?

These shifting foundations are scary, presenting a real problem and danger, but also an opportunity for the Gospel to shine. While Nietzsche argued that God is dead, nothing could be further from the truth. The Gospel points us back to transcendent truth and the foundations of ultimate meaning and purpose. It answers three core needs related to purpose and meaning: Security, Significance, and Acceptance.

Today, let's focus on significance. The Gospel answers the search for significance within the human heart—a question we've asked since the Garden of Eden. Do we matter? Do our lives have any purpose? In Christ Jesus, the Gospel's answer is a resounding "yes." We are restored to fellowship and connection with our Creator, reborn into a life of immense meaning and purpose that transcends the joys and sorrows of this present life.

Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, "we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." The NLT translates it as, "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Each of us has a deep meaning and purpose from being united with our Creator.

Our Meaning

We are God's masterpiece, a treasured creation. The word conveys the idea of a work of art, a poem, with purpose and intentionality. Just as no poem was ever written without purpose, no person is an accident. Every human life has meaning. The Gospel clarifies that our existence means we have purpose and meaning.

This meaning isn't unique to Christians. The Gospel doesn't say only Christians have meaning. Each person, from the moment of conception, has meaning and value by being made in God's likeness. The Gospel reminds us of our transcendent meaning as human beings.

On a corporate level, the Gospel provides meaning as the body of Christ. Society's current struggle with meaning and purpose results from disconnecting from the larger story of human history. In Christ, we are reattached to the great narrative of history and God's story of restoration and redemption.

Our Purpose

So, what is our purpose? Paul tells us we are created in Christ Jesus for good works. These good works are the point and purpose of our new life in Christ. We are ministers of reconciliation, calling humanity back to its Creator, where the ultimate source and foundation of meaning is found.

What do we do?

What does this mean for us today? First, remember that you have meaning and purpose. If you are in Christ, your life is filled with immense significance. You are not an accident. Your value is not found in what you do, what you have to offer, or what others think of you. Your sense of meaning and significance is not based on your experiences. You are a uniquely crafted masterpiece, valuable by your sheer existence.

As you go about your day, let this truth sink in. You have meaning and purpose; you are God’s masterpiece. You also have work to do. We are in a cultural climate that cannot provide a transcendent meaning. We are called to reconcile the world to its Creator, bringing others back to the source of ultimate meaning and purpose.

The Gospel shifts our source of meaning from the impossible-to-satisfy mobs of society to the One Audience that truly matters—the One who made us.

In a world untethered from transcendent meaning and purpose, who knows if you weren't called to Christ for such a time as this? There are people in your sphere of influence searching for meaning and purpose. Be ministers of reconciliation, extending Christ's invitation to follow Him and realize their value as God's masterpieces.

The Gospel shifts our source of meaning from the impossible-to-satisfy mobs of society to the One Audience that truly matters—the One who made us. This is a truth we and those around us need to hear.