Purpose-Driven

Everyone wants to have a purpose. Why am I here? Some strive for "higher purpose" and others just want a basic reason. No one, for the most part, cares at all what God's purpose is. As it turns out, God made everything that exists for a purpose. Fortunately we don't have to guess. Unfortunately it may not be what you thought.

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Rom 11:36)

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities -- all things have been created through Him and for Him. (Col 1:16)

First, He didn't make it for you (or me). He made it for Himself. "To Him are all things." "All things have been created ... for Him." Not much of a question there. So when we begin to think it's about us (as we seem to do constantly), it's time to rethink. It's all about Him.

But we can do better. For Him, sure, but for what for Him? Look over in Ephesians. There Paul begins, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Eph 1:3). Now, that starts out exciting enough. Terms like "has blessed us" -- not a pending blessing -- and "every spiritual blessing" -- not holding back. But read on into the "every spiritual blessing" of which Paul is speaking.

He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
(Eph 1:4-14).

Now, I know that's a lot to read, and maybe you didn't do it. Hopefully it's because you already have it memorized. (Yeah, right.) But if not, I wish to point out a repeated phrase which should help you get the gist of it. "To the praise of the glory of His grace" (Eph 1:6). "To the praise of His glory" (Eph 1:12). "To the praise of His glory" (Eph 1:14). Hey, is that a pattern? Well, yes, I think it is. Oh, wait! As it turns out, it's a biblical pattern.

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" (Isa 6:3)

The heavens declare the glory of God (Psa 19:1).

Do a search sometime for just the phrase "the glory of God". Here are the kinds of things you'll find. It glorifies God to conceal a matter (Prov 25:2). Sickness and death can be for the glory of God (John 11:4ff). Our salvation is to the glory of God (Rom 15:7). Christ fulfills His promises to us to the glory of God (2 Cor 1:20). Even our good works are for God's glory (Matt 5:16). Everything is for the glory of God.

Paul offers more clarification. "That which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made" (Rom 1:19-20). And then we find out the problem. We all know that Man has a sin problem, but what is the core of that sin problem? "Even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks" (Rom 1:21). He repeats this problem in the third chapter. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23).

So we have this clear presentation of God's purpose. He made everything for Himself. Not you. Not me. Himself. He made everything in order to display Himself, to demonstrate His glory. Over and over. Our problem? We fail at that. We stand in the way of God's primary purpose of making everything that is. I don't know about you, but at that point it starts to look like "sin" is much more than "doing bad things". And sin starts with "It's all about me." Not His purpose.

Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31)