Is the point of existence really just to get to heaven and be in the presence of god?

Question

In the end, that seems like such a shallow and empty motivation. Are you really only a good person because you want to be awarded in heaven, or are afraid of hell or god? What kind of barbaric morality is that? Would you be a good person if there were no heaven or hell or god watching you? Is that really the only reason you think makes a person do the right thing?

Answer 1

No, there is no point of existence, you have to give yourself a point. Heaven, Hell, and god don't actually exist.

Answer 2

No its not. But in life it really boils down to two options. Are you going to heaven or hell. But if you are saved, the whole point is not just going to heaven, it is also doing work for God. Christians should find joy in working for God. Also if you are truly saved then getting to Heaven is not an empty motivation. It is that blessed hope. Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. If there was no Heaven or Hell there would be no people. God created mankind when he breathed the breath of life into the nostrils of Adam. People look for too many answers in the world, when they should look to the Word of God.

Answer 3

The point is not just to go to happen and do nothing.
But my reason to be with God is because He has been good to me first. I can never be good to Him as He has been with me. The Lord God derseves to be praise and I want to be one of those to praise Him.

But you also ask if we be good no matter if there was no heaven? the answer is we are not good now. There is always something bad in us no matter how hard we try to be good.

We all want to be good, but it's not easy. If you ask an evil person and a good person the same question: "Are you a good person?" who do you think is more likely to say, "I'm good?" - the good one or the evil one?

The answer is the evil one! He could kick his own mother in the stomach and still think he's good. You say, "That's terrible! How could you do such a thing?" But he rationalizes and says, "You don't understand. She asked me to take out the garbage. If I do it, who knows what she'll ask for next? This could go on forever!"


The good person takes out the garbage. You tell him, "I see that you're a good person."

He says, "No, I'm really not so good. Didn't you notice that when I took out the garbage I kicked my mother in the stomach?"

"What are you talking about? I was watching and you didn't kick your mother in the stomach!"

"Well, I didn't actually kick her. But I was grumbling about taking out the garbage. I wanted my mother to feel bad. I was in the middle of a good book, and if I don't register my protest, who knows - she might ask me to do it again tomorrow!"


Do you see the difference? The evil person always says that he's right. He doesn't bother trying to be good, so he never feels a struggle. He just assumes that he's good.

By contrast, the person who really tries to be good knows how tough a job it is. And he's always striving for a higher level.

There's a third type: The fully righteous person, the Tzaddik. He takes out the garbage and says, "It's my pleasure, Mom. You work so hard to take care of us. Thank you for the opportunity to express my appreciation!"

But actually that doesn't happend.

Answer 4

As a Christian, getting to heaven is to be in the presence of God when I die, but that's just the icing on the cake.

I agree that becoming a christian just for the sake of eternity is a shallow motivation, but they are missing out on the blessings of a relationship with God.

And yes, I would do it for more than just my eternal reward. I try to live my life every day the way that God wants me to, to love one another and to demonstrate his love.

Answer 5

Well you have experienced sickness, pain, death of a loved one, spiritual death, sorrow, loss,error, don't you think that might put some value on the one who can overcome all these things. To be able to one day know and understand as God does, to inherit all he has. To create worlds by a word. To command the elements? Everything anyone could ever dream possible God is Greater. He will not just trust this info. to anyone, this is why you must exist righteously.

Answer 6

Heaven is where God and his faithful spirit family dwell. His marvelous family of obedient sons in the heavens are not creatures of blood and flesh. They were created before our earth was created upon which we creatures of blood and flesh now live. So those heavenly “sons of God” are spirit, as God himself is, and they are absolutely distinct in nature from us earthly human creatures.

It's also the seat of God's Kingdom (government), from which Christ and chosen, faithful ones from the earth will soon rule over the earth to benefit all mankind.

God created man from the earth to live on the earth. He did not create humans to live for a little while here on earth then go to live in heaven.

Although we all grow old and die now because of Adam's and Eve's rebellion,God’s original purpose for the earth will still be fulfilled. In the beginning it was God’s purpose for obedient humans to live forever in an earthly Paradise. And God never fails to accomplish what he purposes! His Word plainly promises: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”—Psalm 37:29.

We have the very real hope of the resurrection and the opportunity to live forever in paradise here on the earth. The Bible tells how Jehovah will bring this about.

www.watchtower.org

Answer 7

I have assurance that when I die, I will be with Jesus Christ forever.

Being rewarded is not my motivation for doing anything. I desire to do as God asks me because I love Him. Jesus Christ came into my life and changed a fearful, confused woman into a woman who has peace, assurance and joy, whose feet are set upon the Rock of His word.

I desire to follow Jesus because the things He said, the things He asks us to do, are impossible in my own ability. I have to ask God for His grace to do things like forgive always, never return evil for evil, consider others better than myself, stop being selfish, etc. etc. It is not an easy life, but it is the greatest adventure I've ever undertaken.

I love Him so much....He has made my life beautiful and fulfilling. Why would I not desire to follow His ways?

Seeing the Lord exalted, that will be the day I'm waiting for.

Answer 8

Until you get a glimpse of what it is to be in awe of the awesomeness of God, you will continue to feel the way you do. Life is an allotment of time given to each of us to build a relationship with God. If you waste this time, you subject yourself to the consequences. If you do not, you reap the benefits both here on earth and afterward. Make the wise choice.

Answer 9

We're here for just a moment to find Him and make Him known.
The real life is there, eternal, in unimaginable glory.
Afraid of the Heavenly Father who loves us? No.
Worship Him, praise Him and give Him all the glory? Certainly.
Barbaric morality? Laughable.
He is not willing that should perish but they will - of their own accord.
The way is clear.

Answer 10

Luke 12:5
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Genesis 28:17
He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven."

Genesis 49:25
because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and womb.