Time With Christ: Monday, September 1, daily devotion - Purpose

TOPIC: PURPOSE (Monday, September 1, 2014)

MEMORISE: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Ephesians 1:11

READ: Romans 8:28-31

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

MESSAGE:

Purpose is commonly defined as the reason for which something is done, or why something exists. It is therefore correct to say that the purpose of a product can only be determined by the creator and maker of that product. God is the Creator and Maker of the Heavens, the Earth, and all that is in them, according to Genesis 1:1. In Genesis 1:27, the Bible says that God created man in His own image and He made them male and female. Therefore, God is the only one who is in a position to speak authoritatively on the purpose for which a person exists.

The Bible is very clear on the fact that God created man for fellowship. The created cannot by any means fellowship with the creator as equals. We are to fellowship with God in holy worship, in absolute reverence and fear, and in total submission to the will of God. This fellowship is so important to God that when it got broken because of the sin of Adam and Eve, He paid the ultimate price of His Son’s sacrifice in order to reconcile us to Himself. This is why 1 Peter 2:9 says:

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should whew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” 

God’s highest purpose for you is revealed in this passage as being “to show forth the praises of God who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light”. We are therefore primarily made as agents of worship to glorify God our maker. May you live up to God’s expectations of His glory being made manifest in every area of your life, in Jesus’ Name. 

However, many 21st century Christians have erroneously redefined the purpose of existence to mean the same thing as personal ambitions and goals. They are busy working hard in pursuit of ephemeral personal agendas, believing that they are fulfilling the purpose of God. May you not labour in vain. The Bible says that “we are predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of his own will”. This means that no one can determine his purpose in life by himself because it has been predetermined before the creation of the world and therefore not open to choice. The purpose of every human being in this world is to glorify God. 

Prayer Point: Father, please don’t let me misunderstand the purpose of my existence. Let my life glorify you my Lord and my King in Jesus’ Name. 

Bible in a Year: John 10:22-12:19