For This Purpose! (Part 1)

At one time or another, most of us have found ourselves questioning what our purpose is in life. Today we will be looking at the purpose all believers have in fulfilling the purpose of God. This is Donna, Eric's wife. Thank you for being here. May the Lord encourage you with this study. This will be the first of a three part teaching. Blessings, Donna and Eric

God's existence is not bound by time or space. He is Timeless. He is Eternal. He is the Creator of all things - the Universe, sun, moon, planets, all creatures, all of mankind, in fact, nothing exists except that He created it. He is Life, Sovereign, Righteous in all His ways, Truth, Perfect, Morally Excellent, Just, Love, Faithful, Compassionate, Merciful and Kind.

Prior to God's creation of the Earth, He had created angels. We read in Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17 and Revelation 12:7-9 of an angel who became full of pride and rebelled against God. As a result, he was cast out of heaven and cast to the earth. He is referenced in 1 Peter 5:8 and John 10:10 as our adversary the devil (satan) who still seeks to devour, steal, kill and destroy God's people.

God's creation of the Universe including the Earth was perfect. He placed the planets, moon, stars, land, water, animals, fish, birds... all of them where they needed to be for a habitation that pleased God and was suitable for His crowning creation - man, who was made in His image. Every part of His creation was alive and good! You see, God's original plan was that there would be perfect harmony, an unbroken relationship between Himself, humanity and creation.

We know from Genesis 2 that God planted the Garden of Eden with all kinds of trees for food and put the man there to work and care for it. This beautiful garden symbolizes God's original plan for humanity, a perfect place for fellowship between Himself and humanity.

Adam and Eve were accustomed to spending time fellowshipping with God in the Garden in the cool of the evening. (Genesis 3:8-19) Everything was right!

God's purpose and will for perfect fellowship and unity with His creation was going well, until...

Lucifer, the fallen angel, entered the scene. He tempted and deceived Eve to eat of the one tree they were prohibited from eating. Adam chose to eat also.

God created the angels and man with a free will. When the rebellious fallen angel deceived and tempted Eve and Adam chose rebellion and disobeyed God's command, sin and death entered the earth. Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden. All of creation was affected by this sin and death. The entire creation was put into bondage to decay. The ground was cursed. Thorns and thistles grew, man would experience hard physical labor to eat, experience physical death and his body would return to dust. (Genesis 3:17-19).

Knowing the penalty for sin is death, God knew there was a need for redemption for mankind. Immediately after the fall of man, God set in motion a plan to reconcile humanity, back to right relationship with Himself. Since there was no other acceptable sacrifice that could redeem, mankind, God sent His Son, Jesus to pay the penalty of sin by shedding His blood and dying on the cross for our sins.

Those who put their trust in Christ, enter into an eternal relationship with God, the purpose for which humanity was created. However, we understand that we are not totally there yet. Those who accept the sacrifice Jesus made have begun their eternal life. Yet, mankind and the creation still deal with the decay that resulted from sin. 2 Corinthians 5:4 (NLT) reads, " While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life." Romans 8:19-21 (ESV) reveals, "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility (frailty), not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." When our physical body dies, the Scripture indicates (for the believer) "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." We will not see the full significance of Jesus’ sacrifice until that day in which the new heaven and new earth are created. (Revelation 21). Until that day comes however, we have a purpose and a plan of the Lord to fulfill. Our present frailty is temporary and purposeful!

Every life is precious and known to God, from the very start of that life. He created our inmost being, knit us in our mother's womb, saw our unformed body and ordained all of our days before there were any.(Psalm 139:14-16). 'Ordained' means established (fashioned) in the divine purpose. God established each day with purpose.

You have been created for God's purpose! Nothing in life is random or outside His will. 2 Chronicles 20:6b (ESV) reads, "You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you."

God's will brings the fulfillment of His purpose. When you are living in alignment with the will of God, you are fulfilling His purpose for you! God actively guides and directs the course of human life. Every event and circumstance in our lives is part of a divine plan. (Ephesians 2:10). God is never out of control and is never taken by surprise! Our life is not left to chance!

So, as a believer or child of God, what according to His will (which fulfills His purpose) is part of your purpose? What should you do or should be doing that will fulfill His purpose for you?

This is a small portion of what God's will is for you:

Fear God and keep His commandments. Ecclesiastes 12:13b, "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind."

Do all you do to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31b, "whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Always give thanks to God for everything. Ephesians 5:20, " giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,"

Have fellowship with Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:9, "God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

Be conformed to the image of Jesus. Romans 8:29b, "to be conformed to the image of his Son"

Love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Matthew 22:37, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

Love others. 1 John 2:10, "Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble."

Practice righteousness. 1 John 3:10 (ESV), "By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother."

Praise and glorify God. Psalm 86:12, "I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever."

Share the Hope of the Gospel. Mark 16:15, "He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."

Serve others. 1 Peter 4:10a, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."

Rejoice in the Lord always. Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "pray without ceasing,"

Hide the Word of God in your heart. Psalm 119:11, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

Considering the time we live in, seeing and hearing of the rampant evil worldwide, and knowing that if possible the very elect of God will be deceived, I believe it is important for me to expound on the last two.

"Pray without ceasing." When we communicate with God through praying to and listening to Him, He guides, teaches and leads us. Through prayer, we have a direct line of communication with God. It is important that we listen for His guidance and direction. Jesus was constantly in communication (prayer) with the Father. He did always those things which pleased Him and was able to fulfill His mission and purpose.

"Hide the Word of God in your heart." The Holy Spirit inspired every Word of Scripture and you will learn to recognize His voice, if you read His Word. You will be able to protect yourself from the wiles of the devil and know the Truth. Thus, when the enemy tries to deceive you, you will know the voice you are hearing is not that of the Lord, you will know what is true and will reject his lies.

It is through both prayer and His Word that we can seek guidance, direction and strength.

This week, we focused on the purposes of God for 'every' believer. Next week we will change direction a bit and will delve into what some of the more specific (individual) plans and purposes are that God has for His children.

Be encouraged. He is for you! He is with you! He has a purpose and a plan for you!

Allow these words to also encourage your heart.

Psalm 33:11, "But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." God's divine plan and purpose is unchanging and steadfast. God's plan is perfect and eternal.

Isaiah 46:9b,10 (ESV) "for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,'" Hallelujah!

God's purposes will prevail. The Lord is omniscient and sovereign. He is timeless and controls future events. His purpose will stand no matter the human actions against or circumstances.

Remember, His will brings the fulfillment of His purpose! You, aligning your life with His will, fulfills the purpose He has for you as His child!

All Scripture is taken from the New International Version unless noted otherwise.

NLT New Living Translation

ESV English Standard Version