Mortality and the purpose of life are prominent themes in Thomas Cole’s paintings. Through his paintings, he vividly brings out the human dilemma of mortality, a dilemma we ourselves must wrestle with. Given the inevitability of death, what are we to do with our days? We can try to stave off the inevitable through a mad pursuit of achievement or by seeking pleasure, but the Bible lays out a different approach. In light of God’s narrative of redemption, we find hope and everlasting purpose. We find that our lives on this earth, though short, are significant and full of meaning, as they eventually emerge into a greater and grander story that never ends. Our brief earthbound sojourn is only a drop in the ocean of eternity; a frontier of sublime wonder and beauty awaits those who trust in Jesus Christ.
The apostle Paul understood that because of what God did through His Son, death will not have the final victory:
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55–57)
Through faith in Jesus, believers have victory over death and access to the hope of an eternity with God. In Christ, life is no longer a hopeless and endless progression of empty diversions, but a purpose-filled sojourn that prepares us for our eternal home.
By the power of His word, the LORD created the universe in all its fullness ex nihilo (out of nothing). King David declares in a psalm how the heavens illuminate the divine nature of God:
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. (Psalm 19:2)
Despite the natural beauty that surrounds us, we know that the creation, like our bodies, is subject to futility and decay (Romans 8:20–23). The fall of man brought brokenness and evil into the world. But there’s hope. There’s redemption. The heavens tell of the glory of God, but God speaks to us through His Son who came to redeem:
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. (Hebrews 1:1–4)
Because of who Jesus is and what He did, by faith in Him we have the hope of eternal life. This is a confident hope that will not disappoint and will not be put to shame (Romans 8:24–25). Though we die, yet shall we live because of Jesus Christ our Lord (John 11:25–26). Death is not the end.
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For further study, consider viewing Ken’s Voyage of Life series.
These are the last recorded statements of Jesus Christ before His death on the cross. Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34) When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and
In the article below, Dr. Boa synthesizes material from several teaching sessions from his series Biblical Principles for Marriage and from portions of his spiritual formation text Conformed to His Image (primarily from chapter 18, “Holistic Spirituality”). Dr. Boa focuses on agape love as one of the five forms of loves (based on the different Greek words). After reviewing all forms, he gives reasons for why agape is the greatest.
A collection of Bible verses for adoration, in order of their appearance in the Bible.
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