Church family,
If I were to ask you what your purpose in life is, what would you say? I am sure there would be a variety of responses. Responses from happiness, serving others, making disciples, to making a good living would probably be given. While each of these seem admirable, there is a greater purpose in life.
Some might say that focusing on and giving one’s life to God’s mission would be the ultimate purpose in life. Honesty, there is something greater.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 (ESV)
Communion with God, through Christ.
Christ came for forgiveness of sin, to save us from hell… sure. But for what purpose? To reconcile us to God – restoration of the relationship we had ‘in the garden’ with God, before sin severed the relationship.
In the parable of the prodigal son(s), we see our tendency. Both boys seemed to be focused on what they could get from their father. We often live our lives the same way. We live as though the mission (what we do for God) is more important than God Himself. And we often live the mission in order to get from God.
Don’t get me wrong, the mission of Christ is important – to make disciples. It is a great thing, but not the ultimate thing. Let me share,
Philippians 3:7-11 (ESV) But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
John 15:5 (ESV) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Pursue God to know God. Abide in Him (relationship). Only then will the things you do be fruitful. This is the ultimate priority and purpose of your life.
In HIS hands,
Pastor Brian