One of the most profound truths that every individual needs to realize is that the purpose of mankind can be found only in God. A godless person, group, society, nation or concept cannot exist without a meaningful purpose. By meaningful purpose I refer to the original intention of God for man: we can always define our self-suiting purpose or vision to any course under the sun, but that cannot substitute for the original, God-given basis why we are here in the first place. It follows therefore that once we take God out of the picture then there is no reason to assume an original intention, since our existence must have been accidental. Like one Bertrand Russell, an atheist rightly pointed out “Unless you assume a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless”.
The aim of this write-up is not to argue for the existence of God. The Bible is clear on the fact that only a fool says there is no God (Psalm 14:1, Romans 1: 20-22). And in the words of Apostle Paul:
1 Corinthians 8:6 (KJV)
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
As believers what defines us is the acceptance of Jesus as being the Savior of mankind according to the scriptures. In other words, we are not Christians because we have some earthly affiliation to the orthodox religion called Christianity (in any shape, form or fashion), nor are we Christians because we attend a church or read the Bible. What makes us Christians is the fact that we have come to the realization, acceptance and personal belief in the person of Jesus as the Savior of the world.
Now what has that got to do with the issue of purpose? Remember I said godlessness intrinsically implies purposelessness. Godlessness is the state of man without a cordial relationship with God. Ephesians 2 describes the Gentiles as people “without a hope or without God…” Man lost cordiality when Adam sinned and threw humanity into a spiritual tailspin. The Bible says through Adam sin entered into the world and death by sin (Rom 5). Since then God started implementing his eternal plan not only to restore man to the state of cordiality He originally shared with him, but much more to introduce man into an eternal purpose to which He called him. Cutting the long story short, through the mediatory role of Jesus, we become recipients of the purposeful life in God. Paul describes this phenomenon in a most interesting way:
2 Timothy 1:8-10 (KJV)
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
In other words we have been saved by virtue of the grace and PURPOSE of God, and not by virtue of our own works and purpose. This also means that we received a new purpose at salvation – God’s purpose for our lives. There is a new life, a new direction, a new purpose which is revealed to us in the gospel of Jesus.
What is this purpose exactly? Again God does not leave us in the dark as to the reason why He has saved us. Apostle Peter says:
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light
In a nutshell, we are to reveal God’s glory. Having become partakers of His own nature and glory, we naturally reflect the glory of God! (2 Peter 1:3). Our eternal destinies are inherently interwoven with worshipping the God of heaven and earth. By ‘worshipping’ I do not refer to singing and dancing or even praying in church, but I refer to the statement of Jesus about those who worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) which refers primarily, to a state (of being born again) and by extension to the things we do that emanate from this state. Thank God by virtue of the life and the Spirit of God in us we are pleasing to the Father. Before we cry “Abba” we are already accepted in the Beloved! God has fashioned us in such a way that we are suited for His own purposes. Paul says:
Ephesians 3:9-11 (KJV)
9 … the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord
Is it not amazing that we are the very demonstration of God’s many-sided wisdom? We indeed have come into the real life – the life hidden with Christ in God! (Colossians 3:3). We are free from the hold of spiritual death, purposeless, mundane life. Ours is a life of godly adventure and exploits. We have what it takes, because it’s not about who we are in the flesh but about the new nature and ability we have within – the Seed of God
What then? Beloved, it’s time to stop looking at yourself as an ordinary person “just like the rest”, in a rat race, seeking to find a focus in secular world that offers nothing of eternal significance. The purpose we have is for now and for eternity. Let the exploits start now! Begin to see yourself in the light of WHO you are in Christ, and not what you are by virtue of some physical, social, or any other secular attributes. The way forward is to start acknowledging “every good thing that is in you IN Christ” (Philemon vs 6); “looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). You are specially created, specially crafted, and called, according to divine purpose!