It can be easy for us to forget or overlook it sometimes, but we have a defined purpose on this earth, as specified for us by God Himself. We can get so wrapped up in the affairs of daily living that our sights get set more “on things on the earth” than “on things above” (Col. 3:2).
Likely this is why God regularly reminds us in Scripture that “it is He who made us, and not we ourselves” (Psa. 100:3), and that having been “bought with a price,” we are “not [our] own” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Jesus tells us that we are to let our light shine (Matt. 5:16). But why? We are to love and serve one another (John 13:34-35). But why? We are “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Eph. 2:10). But why? What is our purpose?
Our purpose is summarized in passages such as these. “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Through us is to “be made known” the “manifold wisdom of God,” that the beauty of His church might be on full display (Eph. 3:9-11). All that we do is designed to help others to see Christ (1 Cor. 11:1; Gal. 2:20) and to “glorify God” (1 Pet. 2:11-12). That! That is my purpose! Thus, everything that I say and do must be measured against that purpose—“Have I, in what I say and what I do, fulfilled my purpose?”
When I give someone a piece of my mind, have I fulfilled my purpose?
When I keep myself distanced from involvement in the church other than Sunday morning attendance, have I fulfilled my purpose?
When I post mockeries or rebukes of fellow Christians on social media, have I fulfilled my purpose?
When I prioritize my children’s sports and extracurricular activities over the church, have I fulfilled my purpose?
When I choose to go along with the wishes of society and remain silent about godly values and Biblical morality, have I fulfilled my purpose?
When I regularly post and comment about divisive political matters but rarely or never post about Christ and His church, have I fulfilled my purpose?
When I talk to folks about nearly everything under the sun but choose to avoid discussing the gospel of Jesus and their soul’s destiny, have I fulfilled my purpose?
Do you know what Jesus says about someone who does not fulfill their God-given purpose? These are His words. Such individuals are “good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (Matt. 5:13). May God help me to examine myself and set out daily to fulfill HIS purpose!
