Whose Purpose
Good Morning,
We have all heard the statement, “God knows just what I need.” It is possible that most of us have used those words as well. If I could, I would like to put that statement into perspective. Life does not center around me, but around God. Here is how I would like to rearrange that statement: “God knows what He needs or what He needs to get accomplished, and He knows how He can use me to achieve His need and His glory.”
Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
1 Corinthians 10:31”Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Whether it be helping the needy or being a good testimony in a time of tragedy, I am on earth for the glory of God. God’s glory may consist of walking away from the cemetery where I left my dearest in life, or walking through the church building destroyed by a hurricane, or sitting alone wondering about the loss of a child; but giving God glory is not about what I need – I am here to serve Him. My purpose is what He needs from me, whether it be a shipwreck with Paul or jail with Peter. The Philippian jailer would not have been saved were it not for Paul and Silas singing in jail at midnight. Giving God glory was not what Paul needed, it was what God knew the Philippian jailer needed.
Yes, Romans 8:28 talks about all things working together for good, but why not look at the passage in its entirety:
Romans 8:28 “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.”
Whose purpose? His purpose, not mine. Continue reading:
vs. 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.”
According to these verses, our lives are being conformed to the image of His Son, not to our comfort or ease; Christ is being formed in us.
Galatians 4:19 “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,”
Romans 8:30 “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.”
Great works are being done in my life through whichever circumstances might be necessary, but these are all spiritual things, "called, justified, glorified." These works which glorify God have nothing to do with the statement, “God knows what is best for me.” Yes, He does know. For time and eternity, God always has the very best things in mind: best for eternity, best for His glory, and best for me. When I get to Heaven and look back, I will be grateful for whatever circumstance was necessary in my life, whether good or bad.
Just like the passage, “all things work together for good,” another “all things” is considered:
Colossians 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
“That in all things he might have the preeminence.”
Whatever situations happen, we want Jesus to be glorified, God to be lifted up, and of course, when it is all said and done, we want to be more like Jesus.
As long as we are on the subject of thinking spiritually, go on and say, “God knows what is best for me,” but be careful not to act as though everything happening around us is FOR US. For just like those in the military, soldiers are there for the victory and the cause, not for their own personal good. When the first Gulf War broke out, one of our newer men came to me saying, “I'm a reservist, what if they activate me?” I said, “That is why you have been receiving that reserve paycheck every month, so they could activate you if needed.” He wanted everything to work out for HIS good; yet, he forgot the greater cause. He then said, “What if I die?” I said then it would be good if you knew you were saved.” He got saved and baptized and was not called back to active duty, but he was ready to live or die for the greater cause.
Our lives are for His glory; and yes, He does use us and pay very well, but payment is not always of comfort, prosperity, or ease. We want to be ready to live, suffer, or even die for the greater cause of Christ and His preeminence.
Pastor