LIVING WITH PURPOSE

LIVING WITH PURPOSE

          The Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (tenth Edition) defines purpose as 1a. something set up as an object or end to be obtained. Biblically we could say that purpose is God’s means to an end or the way he chooses to accomplish that which is in His will.

          When we discuss living with purpose I think we should first determine by whose purpose are we choosing to live—God’s or ours. To determine this we should look at God’s Word to find the truth. Then the answer should be quite evident and crystal clear. Our purpose should be aligned with His.

          In Genesis 1:26 God expressed the desire to create man in His own image and likeness. And In Genesis 1:27 He created man in His own image. In doing this I believe that God intended man to have the mind of Christ to go along with His God-like image. Hence, when he would speak and act in faith, he would be lining himself up with the will of God in thought, purpose and action like Christ who perfectly pleased the Father in thought, purpose and action,

          The Wisdom of God is skillful and godly wisdom and it not only surpasses human intellect, wisdom and discernment but also makes all three of these things a appear as folly. Isaiah 55:8 & 9 says that God’s ways and thoughts are not only different than ours, but so much higher than ours. One definition of wisdom is the ability to get things done. So since God has Infinite Wisdom that means that God has the ability and wherewithal to accomplish anything and everything.

          It is becoming very apparent that God’s purposes for accomplishing His will are much more important than the purposes we have for ourselves. There are other scriptures that will validate this statement. It is God’s purpose that we experience trials and temptations so we can prove our faith by which we will develop our steadfastness, endurance and patience. [James 1:2-4]

In addition to refining us this allows Him to use us In Isaiah 55:11 where it states that God will send forth His Word out of His mouth and it will not return to Him void, but accomplish that which He pleases, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto He sent it. When Christ walked the earth He was God’s righteousness; but after He ascended to heaven and is at the right hand of the Father interceding for us, we are now God’s righteousness [in Christ] and are the ones God sends out to do His work. Because God has refined our steadfastness, endurance and patience in James 1:2-4 we are better able to accomplish His will in Isa. 55:11 [Hebrews 10:36]

To furthermore demonstrate that we are living for God’s purpose here are examples of submission: When presented with something she didn’t understand Mary said, Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. [Luke 1:38] And when going through adversity in Gethsemane Jesus said O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will but as thy wilt. [Matt. 26:39] and He said a second time O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. [Matt. 26:42] 

          It is God’s purpose that we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [1 John 1:9] In James 4:7 it is God’s purpose that we first submit to Him before we try to rebuke the devil. [James 4:7] It is God’s purpose that we consider Him to be a [vital] necessity before we seek Him with all our heart and expect to find Him. [Jer. 29:13]

It is God’s purpose that we have the reverent fear of the Lord ( to walk in all His ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the LORD and his statues, which I command thee this day for thy good?)  [Deut. 10:12,13] before we obtain knowledge [Proverbs 1:7] and before we have a sweet satisfying companionship with the LORD where He will show us His covenant and is deep inner meaning. [Psalm 25:14] Having the reverent and worshipful fear of the LORD can be considered the “key of keys” because it opens so many doors.

          We should never forget that we were created for God’s pleasure, and as such we are to align ourselves with His will. He is the potter and we are the clay. He is the designer of everything and we are the ones in His master plan and divine orchestration. In fact He knew how things would turn out before the foundation of earth. In Jeremiah 29:11 He says that He knows the thoughts and plans He has for us… Now what does that tell you?

          God is sovereign which means He is in total control of everything. As such, His purpose for things supersedes everyone else’s. So, when you think of living with purpose, it should be for God’s purpose not your own. When you live by God’s purposes you will bear fruit—Fruit of the Holy Spirit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [Gal. 5:22-23]

          One of the most important purposes that God has for us is He wants us to be vessels through whom He spreads His love. He wants believers to have the aroma of Christ which will help draw people(unbelievers) to Him. We can do that by letting people see God in us and working through us. God wants us to spread the Good News (the gospel) in the same manner as the great commission [Matt. 28:19, 20].

People need to know that we are no longer under the Law (which brought about sin-consciousness and laws we could not keep). The Law as important and had its purpose, but now because of God’s unmerited favor we are under Grace. And under Grace we have a better covenant and better promises. It’s God’s purpose that all believers share with others that God  loved us first. By His unfathomable love He made the supreme sacrifice having His only begotten [unique] Son bear the sins of the world so all who believe in Him should have everlasting life. [John 3:16] God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life [1 John 5:12]

By His purpose, God has also designed a way by which we can fill the void [feeling of incompleteness] we have in us. By truly loving our brother our joy will be made full. It is God’s purpose for us to love one another, for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. [1 John 4:7] and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him. [1 John 4:16]  It is God’s purpose to have our mind stayed on Him, if we do He will give us perfect peace. [Isa. 26:2] When we keep our eyes on Jesus He can calm all the storms in our lives (like He rebuked the stormy seas) [Luke 8:24]

A very important purpose of God requires us to have a reverent fear of the LORD [Deut. 10:12,13]and to observe His Word (hear, receive, love and obey it) [Psalm 119:17]. He has purposely designed all these commandments, statues, and ordinances for us so that we would be able to know Him and His nature and be aware of His likes and dislikes; and ultimately if we consistently walk in His ways He will give us access to His presence and others (heavenly hosts). [Zech. 3:7]

          Finally, God haspurposed us to endure, because He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. [Matt. 24:13] It’s not how we start it’s how we finish. Jesus said It is finished just before He bowed His head and gave up the ghost. [John 19:30] He had accomplished the will of God the Father.

          Don’t forget that God wants us to have a Vision about that which will want to accomplish. In Proverbs it says people without vision perish. After you come up with a plan, you should set Goals with milestone dates which will meet Objectives that collectively, will enable you to accomplish a Mission. And when you have accomplished your Mission Statement you will see your Vision materialize.

          Since we were created by God, the purposes He establishes should be our focus. In other words, we should be striving to get on the same page with God and have what is in our spirits agree with what is in His spirit.