I wrote this week about our purpose. We were made for God (1 Cor 8:5-6). It's not about us. I think it's clear from Scripture. "You are not your own; you were bought with a price" (1 Cor 6:19-20). The psalmist says, "The heavens are Yours; the earth also is Yours; the world and all that is in it, You have founded them" (Psa 89:11). It's clear, but it's not easy to swallow. The question, varying in content, is always something like, "What about me??" It might sound like "Aren't we supposed to have blessing?" or "Can't we have some pleasure in life?" or ... you get the idea. The question is valid. When we hear, "It's not about you," it sounds like the biggest killjoy you've ever heard. Yet, Jesus said, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). Joy is listed as a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). We are commanded to rejoice (1 Thess 5:16). Shouldn't we expect good things from God?
Yes. Emphatically, yes! The truth is I don't have to tell you that. You assume it. Remember, the problem is that when He does not supply the good we expect, we have a problem. We know we should expect good things from God. So my point was not that that's a false idea.
What was my point? Simple. If God made us for a purpose -- "for Him" -- wouldn't it stand to reason that we would find our highest joy and fulfillment acting in our designed purpose? On the other hand, if we don't know our actual purpose, wouldn't you expect us to have a hard time finding that joy and fulfillment? If this is true, it seems perfectly obvious that God's explanation as to our real purpose -- for Him and through Him -- would be aimed at providing us the best. If we had that laid out for us clearly -- as it is -- then we couldn't miss it. If we aimed our lives at that purpose, we could expect joy, fulfillment, peace, love ... all that and more.
You see, God commands for His glory, but we are made for His glory, so in those commands He provides for us the ultimate good, the highest pleasure, abundant joy, and real comfort. The more of Him that we encounter, the more of the actual good life we experience. We ask, "What about me?" God answers, "Yes! That's in view!" "This is the way, walk in it" (Isa 30:21). It is, gloriously, all about God and for our best. It's not an "either/or." It's both.
4 comments:
John Piper said something very similar to this the other night, I knew I should have written it down.
I think where folx will have problems with you is that they will disagree about us being made with a purpose, and with that purpose being the glorification of God.
But, if you are correct about those two things, then if stands to reason that we'll be the most fulfilled when we are the closest to fulfilling our purpose.
There are indeed those who will disagree with my premises, beginning with "This is what the Bible says." But for Christians, I'm hoping to be helpful.
Oh, and, by the way, Piper's "theme song" is "God is most glorified when we are most satisfied with Him." Same concept.
Thanks, that is what has eluded me. Yes, there are many who start their disagreements there.
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