On January 15, 1995, the Houston Post printed the results of an interesting poll. It reported that one out of five Americans believe that life is meaningless. In other words, nearly ten years ago, 20% of the population believed that there is no purpose to life. The numbers may be even higher today.

Friends, what do you think? Is there a meaning or purpose to life? If there is, what is it-what is the meaning of life?

This is perhaps one of the most often asked questions in the history of our world. Often people look to those they consider wise to provide an answer, and, over the years, many scholars, thinkers, and people of influence have offered their answers to this perennial question.

But I ask you, is man, the creation, really equipped to answer such a question with only his own wisdom and understanding?

Not at all.

Instead of looking to the opinions of men, and the so-called "wisdom of this world," (cf. I Corinthians 3:19) let us consider what God's word says about this matter. After all, since God's word "is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, [and] for instruction in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16) does it not make sense that God's word would reveal to man the meaning of life?

It most certainly does. In Ecclesiastes 12:13, Solomon-by divine inspiration-provides us with the answer to this age-old question. He writes, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all." Friends, pay special attention to the last part of verse 13: "for this is man's all." The King James Version renders the last part of this verse as "for this is the whole duty of man." Those words leave little room for argument or debate.

So what is man's all? What is the whole duty of man? What is the meaning or purpose of life? Make no mistake; as Solomon plainly wrote, the meaning-the purpose-of life is to "fear God and keep His commandments."

Dear listeners, do you fear God? That is, do you revere Him as Creator of the universe and the Savior of the world? Are you striving to keep His commandments, living a life of obedience and submission to Him? You must if you hope to fulfill the fundamental purpose of your existence and bring true meaning to your life. Those who attempt to find meaning and contentment in the temporal and unstable things of life will always feel a certain emptiness and lack of fulfillment. God has made us to serve and obey Him. True and lasting joy cannot be obtained in any other way.

And that is "the conclusion of the whole matter."