The purpose of life is not merely to achieve success, but through Christ to restore the image of God in ourselves.
The passage you selected from Ellen White’s book Education beautifully shows the connection between creation, the fall, redemption, and humanity’s true purpose.
Humanity was created for God’s likeness
The biblical answer to the question of life’s purpose begins not with human dreams, profession, or public recognition, but with God’s design. Humanity was created to reflect the Creator’s character: His love, holiness, wisdom, mercy, and justice. Sin distorted this image, but God’s plan of salvation aims to restore it.
"Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness... So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him." Gen. 1:26–27
Your main passage from Education is fitting to place at the beginning of the page, for it directly calls redemption "the great object of life." After it, you may present a short quotation that unfolds this thought:
"To restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul, that the divine purpose in his creation might be realized—this was to be the work of redemption. This is the great object of life." Ellen White, Education, pp. 15–16.
Redemption is the transformation of character
Salvation is not limited to the forgiveness of past sins. Christ forgives, cleanses, and gradually transforms a person. His goal is that believers become like Him in character. That is why the Christian life is a path of daily spiritual growth, not merely accepting the right beliefs.
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” Rom 8:29
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” 2 Cor. 3:18
A strong addition would be this thought from Ellen White: “When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Ellen White, “Christ’s Object Lessons,” p. 69. This quotation connects the personal purpose of life with the hope of Christ’s Second Coming.
Love is the highest expression of God’s image
The restored image of God is seen not primarily in knowledge, status, or abilities, but in love for God and for people. Love changes motives, words, and attitudes toward family, the church, the needy, and even those who cause pain. Therefore, true education embraces the whole human being: body, mind, and soul.
“Love, the basis of creation and redemption, is the basis of true education… To love Him with all the heart, with all the mind, and with all the soul means the highest development of every power. It means that in the whole being—the body, the mind, and the soul—the image of God is to be restored.” Ellen White, “Education,” p. 16.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind… Love your neighbor as yourself” Matt 22:37–39
This is an especially fitting quotation for the theme “Purpose of Life,” because it shows that God’s purpose is not selfish self-fulfillment. A person finds true life when he or she dedicates strength to serving God and neighbor.
Good works are the fruit, not the price, of salvation
God saves us solely by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. At the same time, a saved person does not remain inactive: he or she is created anew for good works. Work, study, caring for health, raising children, honesty, and mercy can become service to God if they are done out of love for Him.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” Eph. 2:10
Ellen White wrote: “The highest education is the knowledge of God and a life in harmony with His will.” Compare Ellen White, “Education,” chapter “The Source and Aim of True Education.” Therefore, the purpose of life includes not escaping daily responsibilities, but faithfully fulfilling them in the presence of God.
The hope of eternal life gives purpose its fullness
God’s plan does not end with a brief earthly existence. Christ gives His children eternal life, where the consequences of sin will be finally removed. This hope makes earthly life meaningful: every day is preparation for eternity and an opportunity to know the character of God.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” John 17:3
Therefore, for the page it is worth keeping the selected long passage as the main text, and placing the other quotations by themes: God’s image, transformation of character, love and service, eternal life. The practical application of this truth is simple: each day ask Christ to change your character, choose one specific act of love toward your neighbor, and use your abilities not only for your own success, but for the glory of God and the good of people.
