Do you ever stop and think about life? Have you ever wondered what it is all about? Someone once summed it up as follows, ‘Our births were a fluke, our lives are a farce and at death we just become fertiliser.’ But are we really no more than animals that live and die and that’s the end?

Many turn to philosophy or religion to find the answers to life’s big questions. But the most reliable place to find the true answers is in the Bible. This is because the Bible is God’s Word. It is the book that God has given us to teach what he is like and how we can know Him personally. Consider what the Bible says about the three basic questions of life.

Where did I come from?

Many believe that we are just a chance collection of atoms formed by random events and natural selection from lower life forms. However, this is a belief that robs life of this meaning and fulfilment; and ultimately it leads to hopelessness and despair.

The Bible tells us that man is not merely a highly developed animal but that he was created by a special act of God. ‘You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made’(Psalm 139:13-14). It is God who gives us life and being – ‘He gives to all life, and breath and all things’ (Acts 17:25).

Why am I here?

The Bible tells us that we were made to know and love God. ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart … this is the first and great commandment.’ (Matthew 22:37-38).

However, because we have rebelled against God and disobeyed His laws we are unable to fulfil the purpose for which God made us. In fact we have lost contact with God – ‘We have turned, every one, to his own way’ (Isaiah 53:6).

We think we can manage without God, yet deep within each of us we sense there is something more to life than trying to obtain satisfaction with only material things. If we are honest we have to admit that without God life is empty and meaningless. But it need not stay like that.

There is a way back to God. Because God is just and holy He cannot ignore the fact that we have broken His laws. A penalty has to be paid, ‘the wages of sin is death’ (Romans 6:23). But God loves us so much that He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to save us from the penalty that our sins deserve.

When Jesus died on the cross at Calvary He took the punishment for others. He died so that we might be forgiven and have our relationship with God restored. ‘But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8).

Where am I going?

The Bible tell us that ‘it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment’ (Hebrews 9:27). One day you must face your Maker. What then?

If you turn from your sins and trust in the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour you will be sure of heaven – ‘believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved’ (Acts 16:31).

However, if you reject God’s way of salvation you will be shut out from His presence forever. Jesus said those who did not believe on Him would go away into everlasting punishment’ (Matthew 25:46).