What is the Meaning of Life

The answer to the question, "What is the meaning of life?"

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Ecclesiastes 12:13

Integrity Makes Us Believable

Titus 2:1-14

"1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;

3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—

4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,[a] 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.[b]

9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back,

10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."

It is a fact that many criminals who are in jail believe they are basically good people.

Often people measure themselves with others, basing their elevated view of self on what they have not done rather than what they have done.

A murderer will say he had a good reason to murder, or that someone else made him do it. Then he will declare that he is a good person because he didn't rob a bank.

The bank robber will see himself as a good person because he didn't murder anyone in the commission of his crime. 

The embezzler will think he is a good person because he needed the money and didn't steal from his own mother.

The excuses, justifications, lies and omissions are unending with those who refuse to see themselves as sinful. 

These mentalities are evident in the neighborhood, families, churches and anywhere there are human beings.

Our tendency is to paint ourselves in such a good light that others may even like us, believing what we say, without listening closely for the signs of denial and omission.

Proverbs 12:22

"22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

But those who deal truthfully are His delight."

One of the ways to discern truth in what someone says, is to ask them questions for details.  As "they" say, "it's in the details."  Too many details may indicate lying and vagueness can reveal the same thing.

Often the signs of a person's character can be discerned by the lifestyle they live and their response to accountability. Those who refuse to be accountable are likely hiding themselves and guilty of something.

An open, honest and high integrity person will not care what anyone knows about them. They have nothing to hide because their conscience is clear.  These people will even tell on themselves if they have disobeyed God. 

1 Peter 3:16

"16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed."

Proverbs 10:9

"9 He who walks with integrity walks securely,

But he who perverts his ways will become known."

Proverbs 28:6

"6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity

Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich."

Proverbs 11:3

"3 The integrity of the upright will guide them,

But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them."

Proverbs 19:1

"19 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity

Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool."

Proverbs 20:7

"7 The righteous man walks in his integrity;

His children are blessed after him."

Luke 16:10

"10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much."

Proverbs 21:3

"3 To do righteousness and justice

Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice."

Most People In Prison Think They Are Basically Good

God said that the Ten Commandments were given to show the unbeliever his sin, God calls them a "school master to lead them to Christ."

We are to show the unbeliever that they are sinners, in order to do this we must repeat God's judgement upon their lives.

Many non-believers think they are good, even the ones in prison. 

When we shine the light of the Ten Commandments on their life, they can see, if they choose to see, that they are sinful and helpless and in need of a Savior. Without this knowledge they cannot come to Christ.

There is Another Side to Mercy

There is a side to mercy that is not popular these days. It is merciful to show a brother his sin that he might repent, and it is mercy to warn a non-believer of their sinful nature that will take them to hell.

It is not mercy to ignore sin in anyone, thinking that our friendliness will cause them to like Jesus. God told us to speak truth, "in love", that love comes in many forms even harsh rebukes at times. I say this because the "harsh rebuke" is the most neglected today.

Titus 1:13 "This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;"