PURPOSE

BY: Tosin Babalola

To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world,’ these were the words of Jesus Christ as He stood before Pontius Pilate to make His defense (John 18:37) several times I have asked myself: how many Christians have something to point to as a reason for their existence? It is very important to

know that you have been created by God for a purpose; it is your responsibility to find what it is and to fulfill it.

‘Give us vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for, because unless we stand for something we shall fall for anything. –Peter Marshall

JESUS

He came into the world as the Savior. He had been sent by God on a mission to redeem humanity from the shackles of the devil (sin and death). For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1John 3:8, Matt1:21) he accomplished this through His death on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sins. But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Heb 10:12-14) his death and resurrection was God’s perfect plan and intention as spoken through the prophets (Acts 3:18). Jesus saw to the fulfillment of this Mission and when He had done all, He said: ‘it is finished’ (John 19:30), an expression of a complete sense of accomplishment.

PAUL

His encounter with Jesus Christ marked the beginning of his sense of purpose in life. I'm sure that you've heard the story of my earlier life when I lived in the Jewish way. In those days I went all out in persecuting God's church. I was systematically destroying it. I was so enthusiastic about the traditions of my ancestors that I advanced head and shoulders above my peers in my career. Even then God had designs on me. Why, when I was still in my mother's womb he chose and called me out of sheer generosity! (Gal 1:13-16). 

His mission statement was handed to him by Jesus Christ on his way to Damascus(Acts 26:15-28) for Paul, going home to be with the Lord seemed like a good idea, but his sense of purpose in life gave him a reason to remain alive ‘As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues.’(Phil 1:21-25). He chose to remain alive so that he would continue to preach and teach the Gospel, to help Christians remain established in Christ.(Col 2:6)

When Paul had completed the assignment which was given to him, he said:’ You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's altar. This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting—God's applause!’ (2Tim 4:6-8). He was ready to die empty having fulfilled his purpose in life.

PETER

Peter found purpose in life by reason of the assignment which Jesus Christ had committed into his hands. his duty was to feed the flock- the church(John 21:15-17). He taught the church all the time and continued to remind them ‘Because the stakes are so high, even though you're up-to-date on all this truth and practice it inside and out, I'm not going to let up for a minute in calling you to attention before it. This is the post to which I've been assigned—keeping you alert with frequent reminders—and I'm sticking to it as long as I live’(2 Pet 1:12).

He was bold to announce that his time of demise would come shortly; this also shows a man who has fulfilled purpose. Therefore he passed on the assignment to the elders of the church. I know that I'm to die soon; the Master has made that quite clear to me. And so I am especially eager that you have all this down in black and white so that after I die, you'll have it for ready reference (2Pet1:13-14).

ELIJA

His purpose and duty was to declare the counsel of God to the people of Israel. After a while, he was confronted with an opposition – a threat from Jezebel, so he ran away. He desired to die by asking God to take his life; he wanted to quit fulfilling purpose in life. Therefore, another prophet was assigned to administer in his office (1Kings 19:1-18). In the mind of God, there was moiré to the assignment than what Elijah could perceive.

HOW TO FIND PURPOSE IN LIFE

You must be Born Again

To be born again means to be born from above or to be born of God. You cannot identify purpose in life until you are known of God-the One who created you. It is only through Jesus Christ that you can have a relationship with God hence find purpose. Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John14:6, 9-11). In Christ, you will receive a clear-cut direction for your life here on earth; you can choose to walk in it-fulfilling purpose.

To become born again, you need to believe in Jesus Christ and confess Him as your Lord and Savior. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loves him that begat loves him also that is begotten of him (1John 5:1 John 3:16 Rom10:9-10 Acts16:31). This happens just once in a life time and from that moment; you begin a relationship with God. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name(John1:12; 2Cor5:17). The purpose of God for every one born again is to do the ministry of reconciliation. 

When you become born again, you become an ambassador for Christ and an able minister of the New Testament. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now (2Cor5:17-20; 2Cor3:6)

 

The reason God saved you is so that you would carry out the good works which He has prepared. You have become His workmanship (Eph 2:8-10; Tit2:14).

Find the specific plan

In order to achieve the big picture above (the reason for which God created and re-created you), must find out his specific plan and map for u to achieve that purpose. 

Not everyone is called to plant a church or go into full-time ministry but there a path which God has designed for you alone to chat even while you are on your vocation and secular activities. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jer 29:11). Take note of the word ‘expected’.

As you inquire to know God more, he reveals Himself and His plans for your life to you. Come close to God, and he will come close to you (Jas4:8a)

Stay connected and shun distractions 

‘Satan uses distractions to stop our progress toward a goal, or at least to change the speed of the progress’ Myles Munroe.

If you have found God’s blue-print for your life, you have to be cautious and ensure that you stay within the right environment. Jesus, in bid to fulfill God’s plan for his life went to the temple habitually. There are certain acquaintances and relationships you must cut off in order to get to the place that God has designed for you. THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us (Heb12:1 1Cor15:33).

Turn your obstacles into stepping stones

Do not quit when you face a challenge, you must continue to press until you overcome it. If it is not worth dying for, then it is not worth living for. Paul saw his goal before him and he said; I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil2:14). Jesus Christ saw the joy that was set before Him and so he endured suffering.  He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb12:2). 

Do not get comfortable with challenges or past victories, there is more to your life than what meets your eyes right now. If you quit, the remainder of your assignment might be delegated to the next available person to complete. Do not wish for death like Elijah did, confront that obstacle today because your best days are still ahead of you (Ecc7:10)

Do not be in a hurry

You must seek to understand God’s perfect timing. ‘Obeying God too soon or too late is disobedience’ –Myles Munroe. Moses was eighty years old before he could go ahead to execute the assignment God had given to him. Although he made an attempt to start when he was forty but he failed (Acts 7:22-30)

At the moment, everything may not all together look like what you expect but God might just be taking you through a process of preparation. For instance, Moses and David were shepherds keeping and leading the flock until they became leaders of the children of Israel.

We must begin to focus our gaze on the Lord Jesus because our purpose in life is found in Him alone Your old sinful self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. (Col3:4). It should be our duty to regularly incline our ears to Him. Paul said to Archipus; Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.(Col 4:17) Therefore, in all that you do, ensure that you find God’s purpose for your life and that you fulfill it.

tosin Babalola