Today’s world is very complicated. The various choices placed before us can make us spin and make us wonder in which direction we should be heading. Bookstores offer best sellers on purposeful living, some from a natural point of view, others from a Christian perspective. People are obviously interested, for sales are into the millions. However, many today seem to live aimlessly, without any real objective. Their mentality seems to be, “Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor. 15:32). But how much better it is to be able to say, “For to me to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:2121For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)).
An Integral Part of Living
In the Word of God, and especially in the New Testament, we see clearly that purpose was an integral part of the character of those who were saved and walking to please the Lord. This sense of purpose was necessary both for young converts and for those who had been walking with the Lord for some time. When Gentile believers were first saved in Antioch, Barnabas “exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:2323Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. (Acts 11:23)). At the end of his life, Paul could remind Timothy of his “doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions” (2 Tim. 3:10-11). Paul ran the race, “not as uncertainly”; he did not fight “as one that beateth the air” (1 Cor. 9:26). Rather, he had a sense of the Lord’s will and the incorruptible crown at the end.
The Secret of Having Purpose
What then is the secret of having purpose in our lives, and how can we get it? No doubt it is something that we all want, yet somehow it seems to elude many. I would suggest that Scripture gives us some definite guidelines in the matter.
First of all, we must remember that the purpose of our lives is not to be found by looking within ourselves. In today’s world, we are often told to assess our abilities, to set a realistic goal, and then to strive for it. However, the humanistic thinking that has pervaded the world today has tended to focus all this on ourselves, while leaving God out. Man is viewed as being an end in himself, and his own pleasure a sufficient parameter by which to set a goal. As we have mentioned before, this has tended to produce a mind-set that thinks of self-gratification, often more immediate than long-term. We have become accustomed to having instant results, and suffering is viewed as something that need not be tolerated. All this is not God’s way.
As is brought out in other articles in this issue, God has His purposes concerning the honor and glory of His Son, and through His grace, these purposes include those whom He has chosen to be associated with His Son. Man was created for God’s pleasure, but instead of bringing God pleasure, man chose to believe Satan and brought sin into the Garden. For thousands of years (in the Old Testament) God tested man, but this only proved that the “imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:55And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5)). It is clear that “the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:2323O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23)). Now God has chosen to reveal His Son Jesus Christ, to bring out His purposes in Him, and to bring us into blessing with Him. If we are going to have purpose and direction in our lives, we must seek God’s will and work according to His purposes, not our own.
Giving up Self Interest
This not only involves looking to God, but also involves the giving up of all my own thoughts, ambitions and self-centered ideas. It involves seeking the glory of another — the Lord Jesus Christ. Just before He went to the cross, the Lord Jesus could say to His disciples, “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal” (John 12:2525He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. (John 12:25)). Those who follow their own will in this world (whether unbelievers or believers) may obtain the world’s approval, but they will lose eternally. Those whose purpose is outside of themselves, and thus greater than themselves, will perhaps lose their lives down here, but will have that which will last for eternity.
The question may arise, “If I follow the Lord and surrender to Him, does this mean I cannot enjoy life?” No, for if we begin with ourselves, God is always dishonored, and we miss His blessings. If we begin with God, He is honored and glorified, and we are far more blessed. God’s greatest thought was to make Himself known, and in doing so, He has declared the counsels of His heart. Without God, man may acquire a certain amount of knowledge in creation, but he cannot find out God. If we occupy ourselves with our own interests, we fail to find out God, and then we lack real purpose in our lives. Even as believers, we may look to the Lord for mercies, help in difficult circumstances, and even ask Him to bless and work out our purposes, for our blessing. This is to miss the opportunity of seeing things from His side and working with His purposes, not our own.
Taking up God’s Interests
If we take up God’s interests in our lives, what will be the result? There will be a true sense of purpose, not only for time, but for eternity. We will not be drifting aimlessly, flitting from one interest to another, but rather “understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:1717Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:17)). More than this, there will be enthusiasm and energy, for the Spirit of God gives energy for that which is according to God’s will. When we are working “in sync” with God, there is a sense of having His interests before us—interests that transcend this present world. There is joy in our hearts that comes from Himself, the same joy that is spoken of in Hebrews 12:22Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2) —“Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” We experience the same joy that our blessed Master had, for His was the joy of doing the Father’s will and anticipating the exaltation in consequence.
God’s Purpose for Each of Us
Let us remember that God has a purpose for each of us — something that He has for us to do. For some, it may be a job that puts us in the public eye, while for others it may simply be to “serve the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:2424Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:24)) in our everyday work. However, let us remember that this purpose is not for ourselves, but for the One who loved us and died for us. Energy of purpose for the believers comes from the Spirit of God, but also comes from our affections being engaged. Scripture knows no other motive, except that “the love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Cor. 5:14). Such love enjoyed in the soul gave those like Paul energy and purpose, and so it has been down through the ages. Many dear believers have given up their lives for Christ, and continue to do so, because of the tug of that love on their affections and the sense of God’s purpose in their lives. It is possible for every one of us, by His grace, to have this too!
W. J. Prost