Purposeful Living - Part 2
Sometimes a hindrance to purposeful living is the idea that "If God wants my life to go in a particular direction, He will orchestrate matters and force His will to come to pass". God is surely sovereign and all-powerful, but we see from the Scriptures that often we must choose to work with Him, in order that His purpose for our lives may come to pass.
A Profile in Purposeful Living - Jesus of Nazareth
There seems to be no other individual prophesied about in the Bible like Jesus of Nazareth. In the Gospels alone, there are about 25 references to Old Testament prophecies concerning Him. I would have thought that if anyone could live His life believing and acting in a way to suggest that He knew that the will of God for His life would surely come to pass independent of His own volition and actions, it should be Jesus. Yet our Lord testified over and over again about the need for Him to live purposefully.
John 5 (KJ2000)
30 I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father who has sent me.
You cannot set out seeking your will, hoping to arrive at the destination God willed for you. You must seek out His own will and align with it.
John 9 (KJ2000)
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work.
You must decide to obey the One Who sent you in a timely manner. Your days on this side of eternity are limited - you will not always have the time, the resources, the strength, etc to do His work. It is surprising how many Christians believe they will have time for God's work when they are "less busy". If an earthly employer will not tolerate this, why do you think God will?
Matthew 26 (KJ2000)
39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as you will.
John 10 (KJ2000)
15 As the Father knows me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
17 Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
Jesus could have insisted on His own will and avoided the cross. For Him, the cross was an act of His decision. He chose to go hang on it - He was not forced. He laid down His life - it was not snatched away from Him violently without His consent.
In the same way, if and when you fulfil God’s purpose for your life, it will be because you set out to discover His will and do it.
Ephesians 5 (KJ2000)
17 Therefore be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Jesus Fulfilled God's Purpose for His Life
John 4 (KJ2000)
34 Jesus said unto them, My food is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
John 17 (KJ2000)
4 I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do.
Notice Jesus says His purpose was to finish the work of God. Notice He also says it was the Father Who gave Him the work to do.
Will you fulfil God's purpose, or your own?
Continue in grace!