CAN WE UNDERSTAND LIFE?
When we call to mind the days of our childhood, they are vanished and only the memory of them remains. This stirs within us anxious questions about life.
(Rudolf Steiner)
Our way of life depends on our understanding of life. A poor understanding of life leads often to regret, poor accomplishments, or outright failure. Let’s start by asking:
What Exactly is Life?
Here are some independent views on life:
- Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be expressed — Soren Kierkegaard.
- Life is the greatest and rarest gift in the world. As long as you have it, invest it in others — Anonymous.
- Life is a question, and how we live it is our answer — Gary Keller.
- Life is a story, make yours the bestseller — Anonymous.
Obviously, life is complex; yet simple. It’s complex for those who don’t know or recognise God. But, it’s simple to those who acknowledge God as the Ruler in ALL of human affairs.
For our discussion, we shall see life as a story in which each of us is the major factor. Your life is your person — your beliefs, behaviours and deeds.
All the same, there are some basic truths we must accept and build on if we’re to truly live well and rich.
The Basic Truths of Life
Truth No.1 — God is
• the Giver of life. (He creates our being; and terminates our being on earth.)
• the Rewarder of all labour.
And He’s never partial; but just.
Truth No.2 — “Whatever a person sows, he shall reap.” Gal. 6:7
This is the ever dominating law of life called ‘Law of Attraction’, or ‘Law of Karma’. Nature beautifully exhibits this truth: If a seed is dropped into the soil and cared for, at its season (the appointed time) the seed brings forth its own kind in multiple.
Truth No.3 — “Love never fails!” 1 Cor. 13:8.
Love often faces difficulties, but always triumphs. Whatever is started out of love and kept in love shall surely come to fruition and prosper.
Love is a strong, formidable force necessary for enduring success in any field of life (be it in family affairs, business, career, or even religion.)
Truth No.4 — The spirit controls the physical. (Number 22:6)
There are some unseen forces behind every physical (seen) body or event.
Truth No.5 — Every person has the potential to prosper. (Genesis 1:27)
Every individual in his right mind has the ability to succeed, but some opposing forces might hinder him.
Truth No.6 — Faith with perseverance brings good success. (Nehemiah 2:20)
Nothing good comes easily; and greater the delay, greater the glory.
Truth No.7 — Work is never a punishment but a gift of God. (Genesis 2:15; 1:28)
Right from the start, God ordained mankind to sustain all He has created on earth but in partnership with Himself (God) to make good success. Man is born to work; but not born for work.He is created to fellowship with God.
Summary
Life is a gift of God, and is precious. And, each of us is given life for a purpose.
Moreover, the Bible is our Creator’s Manual towards that purpose. Therefore, we can best understand life (with the world system) and prepare for it, through the Scriptures. (Joshua 1:8)
We shouldn’t wait for life itself to teach us, it might be too costly. The Bible only is the right Guide — with the Holy Spirit, the right Teacher — to understanding life.
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