There are three essential life questions. Everyone answers these questions and operates off of them, whether they realize it or not. The questions are: 1. What is reality? (What is true?) 2. How do I know what I know is valid? 3. What is good? (How should I live?) These questions represent the fields of metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics, respectively. For happiness sake, it’s critical to reach correct conclusions.
For answers, nature and the Bible are the best teachers. Nature reveals there is a God. In particular, it shows God’s glory, power, order, beauty, intelligence, moral law, and providence. The Bible reveals
- God is the creator and king of all (Psalm 95:3-7)
- God’s holiness, justice, and righteousness (Psalm 89:14; Isaiah 6)
- God created a perfect world (Genesis 1-2)
- God created men and women in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27)
- God created men and women to worship and enjoy Him and his world (Genesis 1-2)
- Man rebelled against God and was subsequently alienated from Him (Genesis 3)
- The world is under God’s curse and condemnation (Genesis 3)
- God promised to send a Savior and establish an eternal kingdom (Genesis 3:15; Genesis 12; 2 Samuel 7; Isaiah 9:1-7; Isaiah 53, etc.).
- God revealed Himself to Moses as merciful and just (Exodus 34:5-7)
- God demonstrated his mercy, justice, and love by sending his eternal Son, Jesus, who died as a sacrifice for the sins of all who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:23-27; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-10)
- Jesus’ resurrection from the grave reveals that he conquered sin and death, that God accepted his Son’s payment for sin, and that there is no condemnation for those who are connected to Christ by faith (Romans 81; 31-34)
- Man can be forgiven, have peace with God, be made one of his children, and be reconciled to him forever through repentance and faith in Jesus (Romans 10:5-13)
- Jesus Christ is coming again as king of kings to establish an eternal kingdom and will reign over all (Revelation 19:11-21)
The reliability of the Bible can be confirmed by comparing it with what has been revealed in creation and history — they do not contradict; in fact, each helps us see the other more clearly.
Furthermore, nature and the Bible show us how we were designed to live, and how to live that way for our good.
Jesus, the great philosopher, said: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8, English Standard Version)
Finally, the Bible reveals that God is building a church that cannot be prevailed against. The church has grown and met across the world for two thousand years, proclaiming God’s coming Kingdom and how to live in light of it.
To that end, connecting with a church is really important for your happiness.
Here is a global list of churches. There are other good churches, too. Find one that rigorously explains the Bible. While searching, I recommend Grace Community Church, located in California, which offers live online services.
Photo by Christian Walker on Unsplash
I interview a pastor about five reasons why you should go to church: