The True Purpose of Life: Study

Ezra 7:9-10 tells us that “Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel” and because of this “the good hand of God was upon him.” These verses outline our greatest purpose for our lives – to know God’s Word, put it into practice and share it with others.

Ezra studied “the law” – the Torah. Torah is more than the commandments given through Moses and the prophets. Torah is the complete “instruction” of God to His people. God’s Torah includes all His teaching, direction and revelation that are the basis for Godly living.

Just as the Gospel (“good news”) is not limited to the account of Jesus’ life and ministry. The Gospel of God includes every word of Scripture. Likewise God’s Torah (“instruction”) is not limited to His commandments. The “instruction” of God includes every word of Scripture.

We are commanded to study every word of Scripture. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). This commandment benefits us. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the men and women of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The Holy Spirit is our primary teacher of the Scriptures. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you” (John 14:26). The Spirit which indwells us will help us to understand what He inspired men to write.

The Holy Spirit also works through human agents to teach us God’s word. We are told God gave us, “pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (Ephesians 4:11-13).

Knowledge of the Son of God, as taught in the Scriptures, builds us up both individually and collectively. The result of proper teaching has effects both within the church and on the surrounding world.

Pastors and teachers equip the saints (the Church, the Body of Christ) for the work of service to the world around us. They do not do the work for us. God will reward His children for the work they do to save and disciple the lost, “each will receive his own reward according to his labor” (1 Corinthians 3:8).

Internally, Scripture is the bond that brings people of diverse backgrounds together as one. We live in peace that only comes from the unity of the faith – “you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

However, knowing is not enough, “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17).