Sometimes we hear religious folks talk about some event that has happened in their lives. Many times that is followed by a statement concerning their desire to understand God's purpose for them. Viewing things from that perspective events are interpreted in such a way as to fit some definite purpose. There are many books that have been written about "understanding God's purpose for your life." Not to sound too negative but I do not believe that God has a special plan for me, nor do I believe that have some special gift or talent that sets me apart from others. As a Christian I have a different view.
I am reminded of the fact that Christians "are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." (1 Pet 2.9). The purpose that we have is found in the Gospel, and in the fact that we are Christians. Peter describes that way in which we are to live on the Earth. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." (1 Pet 3.15). We are to carry the truth in our minds as the most important part of who and what we are. This is why Christ referred to his followers as the "salt" of the Earth (Matt 5.13). The greatest thing that we can do as a Christian is to teach the word of God to a lost or erring soul.
The world around us is filled with those who would pervert or deny the Gospel and the message of Christ that he has left for us to follow. In this respect we strive to keep the light alive so that those good and honest hearts that are seeking God will be drawn to Him and then, through His word, will obey and live faithfully.
This is the same message that was given to the Hebrews as God spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." (Ex 19.5-6). In the midst of the heathen nations that they were to dwell, the people of God were to keep His name alive through faithful and righteous service. As we study the history of God's people throughout the scriptures we can find that there were many failures in doing this. Eventually God's people destroyed themselves through neglect of the word that they had been entrusted with (Hos 4.6).
What purpose then do I have? Christ answered that question very well in his response to a lawyer. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matt 22.37). If we do this we will also care about the spiritual condition of others. Christ followed up his answer, identifying the greatest commandment with a second. "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matt 22.39). Our purpose is to lead others to Christ. This does not make us special. The message that we carry however is. We need to strive to carry that message to others. We need to view the events in our lives in such a way that we will want to draw closer to God, realizing that we seek that eternal home, and to take as many with us as will hear the call of God.
TLC