What Is My PurposeSample

You are Commissioned

John 17:18 - As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

Many wait for a special call from God. They expect a Damascus road experience similar to Paul’s. But there is no need to wait for anything like that. We are already commissioned! Jesus said in John 17:18, “Even as the Father has sent me I send you.” That means that as we study the life of Jesus, we understand that we are expected to live in the same manner wherever God has placed us.

We often think that a calling is something to do. But in reality, our calling is not something to do but rather a life to be led. As Paul says in Phil 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” It was the living of his life that was the calling of Jesus. In that sense our calling is clear, to live the sermon on the Mount, that is to live like Jesus, where we are. As we fulfil this calling, a higher one may come.

Since we are sent as Jesus was sent, we should examine what the Bible says about why Jesus came to earth:

• To reveal the mind of God (Hebrews 1:1-2a)
• To destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8)
• To give abundant life (John 10:10)
• To serve people (Matthew 20:28)

There are many more verses that speak of Jesus’ purpose but these give us an idea of what God wants us to be doing with our lives.

Revealing the mind of God

Heb 1:1-2a says, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.” We are meant to reveal the mind of God to people. To be able to do this, we need to know the Bible well. We need to study the Bible, not just for our benefit, but also so that we can share about God with others. This is one of the things that God has sent us for.

But people can only understand our message when they see it lived in our lives. If we tell someone that God loves them like a Father, it would only make sense to them if they have experienced love in their lives. So we need to live what we teach so that people can see and comprehend what it looks like in real life. This is a round-the-clock call for us.

Destroying the works of the devil

1 John 3:8b says, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” The works of the devil are seen in the corruption and oppression that exists in the world. As citizens of the kingdom of God, we must take a stand against any corruption or oppression we see and ensure that we do not engage in the same. Being involved in fighting such evil is one of our major callings as a Christian. It does not require a specific commission by God but is something that all Christians should do.

Giving abundant life

In John 10:10 Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” People around us are sometimes trapped in difficult situations that they cannot find their way out of. As members of the kingdom of God, we need to get involved in their lives and help them out of their difficulties. Again, this is something that doesn’t require a special commission but is expected from all Christians. We are called to go out and help the people we encounter in the places where we work and live.

Serving people

Matthew 20:28 says, “The Son of Man [Jesus] did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” We are not here to be served but to serve others. To do this, we need to be willing to make sacrifices as we give up our position or our rights for the needs of others. In the places where we expect to be served, try and see how we can serve instead.

Paul wrote in Col 1:24 that he wanted to complete in his body what was lacking in the sufferings of Christ. This means that he was willing to suffer to take the message of the cross to the people. We do the same when we live by the example that Jesus gave us. Living in this manner makes our life a ministry to people, and that is what Jesus wants to see. Following Jesus means following His example and not just confessing faith in Him.

Thus, we see that there is plenty for us to do without waiting for a special call from God. If we do not follow Jesus in this manner or stop following Him when we bump into a difficult saying, we will never understand God’s purpose for us in our lives.

Whose life have you made abundant in the last one year?