Why are we here?

The past few days we have examined purpose and meaning for life.  We found (from Rick Warren) that life is a test, a trust and a temporary assignment.  We know that God allows both difficulties and blessings in our life to build and reveal character.  We know that our time on earth is brief compared to eternity.  We seek treasure in heaven that will last.  Our goal is to hear 'Well done! Good and faithful servant!  You have used the talents and resources I loaned you well for my glory, so I will entrust you with more!  Come join the party!"

This answers the question of how we should approach our lives.  But why did God make us?  How do we bring him glory?  Let's review some great verses that help us understand our purpose.

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (Colossians 1: 16)

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:37)

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.  (John 13:34-35)

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28: 19)

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me....Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.  (Matthew 25: 34-36, 40)

Jesus Prays for All Believers-- “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.   I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.  (John 17:20-23)

Let's return to Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life.  He summarizes how we fulfill our purpose to bring glory to God by--worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. You can explore each topic in his book or at his website: www.purposedriven.com

So we are to love God, find our purpose in bringing him glory, love Christians, help the needy, grow God's kingdom by teaching others of God's love and be unified as the body of Christ. 

Jesus continues his prayer for believers.  Take heart...

Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.

Searching for Meaning & Purpose

 

 
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Last time we asked if God's tests for us are pass/fail or graded tests.  I believe the answer is both.  The first test is definitely pass/fail.  It is the choice of whether or not to believe in and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  There's no halfway option.  But that is just the beginning.  After becoming a Christian and inviting God into our hearts, we will face additional tests and trials, perhaps more than we did before we were believers!  These tests may not be pass/fail, but instead designed to strengthen our faith and endurance through time.

God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13b)

Trusting God in the Good Times

Are God's tests only in the trials and hard times?  Certainly he wants to see if we turn to God then, but what about when things are going well--  could that also be a test from God?  What if we receive that promotion or good doctor's test results.  What if we have a bit extra after the bills are paid and our children are succeeding.  We turned to God in the foxhole, but now that we are home safe, do we still need God?  This is when God's tests are a trust.  He blesses us and watches to see what we will do.  It's easy to become proud and believe we are strong on our own without trusting God.  We must not forget that all blessings are from God and be thankful every day.  We should continue to give God the glory and remember that he is entrusting us as stewards of the wealth and talents we have.  We must use them wisely. 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

A Temporary Assignment

Remember Rick Warren said that life is also a temporary assignment.  It really helps put things in perspective when we know that we were not designed to live in this fallen world, but for eternal glory with God!  We are merely visitors for a short while.  Then we can see how ephemeral worldly things are and strive instead for what really matters, what lasts for eternity--God's approval!  So let us strive for the best grade and share in eternal glory.

Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:21)

 

 

What's the point of life?

 

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It is reassuring to me that the characters of the Bible were human like us.  They made mistakes, sometimes more than once.  Samson had a temper problem and fell in love with the wrong woman.  Jonah tried to run from God and lacked mercy for Ninevah.  After calling God's fire from heaven, Ezekiel became scared and suicidally depressed.  When we meet Rahab she was a prostitute in an evil city.  Soloman took hundreds of foreign wives who did not believe in God, and was a poor father.  David also took too many wives, seduced Bathsheba and was a horrible father.  Aaron gave in to pressure and made a golden calf.  Moses was cowardly and reluctant when faced with God's plan.  Later he lost his temper and forgot to give God the credit for bringing water from the stone.  Jacob and Rachel were schemers, stealing the father's blessing from Isaac.  Sarah laughed at God's plan to give her a child in her old age.  Abraham was so cowardly he didn't even try to protect his beautiful wife Sarah--lying to say she was his sister.  Noah got drunk and passed out naked.  Adam and Eve let themselves be enticed by the serpent and sought to become like God.  The nation of Israel repeatedly forgot the God who saved them from Egyptian slavery, warring enemies, starvation and dehydration in the desert.

And yet...

And yet...

God still had a plan for them.  He patiently cared for them and had a place for them in his plan.  Nothing took God by surprise.  He used their mistakes to teach them, to help them grow.

They questioned God.  They asked about the purpose of existence and God's plan.  How could God love us and let us suffer?  Where is the justice?  How long will I have to wait for God's blessing?  What is the point?

Looking for answers

When we think about the meaning in life, many look to accumulate wealth, invent something new or make a scientific discovery, be famous and remembered, build something impressive, make something beautiful, or reach for inner peace or enlightenment.  

None of these things can fill the void in our hearts.  All human creations are subject to decay, all knowledge can be forgotten and people disappoint.  Recall the story of Job.  He was on top of the world when he lost it all: his wealth, family, reputation and health.  We need to look to the One who does not fall short for the answer.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:19-21

Jesus expounds in the parable of the rich fool.  He has an amazing harvest and has to build a bigger storehouse to hold it all.  He is happy that he is so rich that he will no longer have to work, but will be able to relax and party instead.  Many of us may be like the man, working hard to save up money.  Saying 'if I make more money, I'll be able to buy the house or car I need...if I work extra overtime now, then I can make up for it with a vacation...if I can just work for five more years, then I can retire and live the life I've always wanted!'  But God knows that we are missing the point of life.  Working for things and making big plans for future success is not what he wants of us.

"But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’"  (Luke 12:20)

Also heed the warning the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus the beggar, read Luke 16:19-31.  The rich man has no pity for the beggar and ends up in eternal torment.  Then he finally learns to regret how he lived his life, but it is too late.  The Bible has many such warnings against materialism.  So if getting more things is not the answer, what is?

Life is a test and a trust

In The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren says that life is a test and a trust and a temporary assignment.  He points to the many tests and trials throughout the Bible that developed and revealed character.  In four different passages God is referred to as the potter and people as the clay.  Picture the potter sitting at the wheel, gently shaping the clay into something beautiful. 

So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:7)

Through life's trials, temptations and hardships we must stand strong.  Remember that those that endure to the end will be saved.  The refining fire burns away those that have a week, superficial faith and the precious metal remains.

He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.  (John 15:2)

Being shaped as the clay doesn't sound so bad, but being put through the fire and pruned sounds painful!  Mold us into righteousness through an arduous battle to overcome addiction, snip off our misplaced trust through a job loss, burn away our false faith through the heart-rending loss of a loved one.  It is our response that builds and reveals our character.  Do we continue to trust in God; that he loves us and this is part of His plan?  Do we give him the glory on the mountain and in the valley?  Say 'help my unbelief' and allow the Holy Spirit to sustain us.

We each experience God's test and refinement in different ways, but the goal is the same-- to become something strong, useful and beautiful for God's glory; holy and blameless before the Father.

So here's a question to ponder: is God's test pass/fail or graded?  Is it just to make the cut or are their gradations of success in God's Kingdom?  

To be continued... 

 www.purposedriven.com