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A Clear Purpose |
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Article by Tom Gilbert —
© March, 2008
When I read the Gospels I am often struck
by how convinced Jesus was of his purpose and his mission. He
spoke about it with an authority that impressed many people.
I don’t think he came across as smug, arrogant or egotistical.
Rather, he had an inner authority. He was sure about his job
to both reveal what God is all about and that he was sent by
God, his Father, to redeem our broken relationship.
The way Jesus lived is the perfect model for us. We are humans
filled with strong wills and it is difficult for just about
anyone to accept that they cannot live life successfully on
their own power. We have to receive the power, the grace, of
a loving God to deal with life and especially other people.
This has been my experience. And even learning this lesson I
still find that I often try to control life, to get things to
go the way I want. What is this but playing God?
Now Jesus, we Christians believe, is God in human form. Yet,
as Paul wrote in Philippians 2:5-7, he didn’t
consider this something to be grasped. Rather he emptied himself
and took on the nature of a servant in human form. He didn’t
go around “playing God” although he did many things
that revealed God’s power. Jesus came not only to redeem,
but to serve.
He Was Interesting
Over the course of his public ministry many
people became interested in Jesus. Some followed him because
of the miracles he performed. Others, mostly the religious authorities,
wanted to see if they could trip him up. And some felt called
to follow him because they perceived that he was sent by God.
They may not have been sure if he was the Messiah, but they
believed he was a prophet of God, a good and holy man.
The amazing thing about Jesus and his inner authority is how
he was both self assured yet humble. Jesus Christ has given
us some powerful truths. His teachings are radical and profound.
The core of his message is love and forgiveness.
Going Deeper
I made a conscious decision the past couple
of months to go deeper in my own spiritual journey and it has
been frankly uncomfortable. I’ve discovered over and over
again how incapable I am of living up to Jesus’ commandments
with my own weak nature. It is one thing to know this in my
head, but having this realization in my heart has been difficult.
But, I know that the grace God gives us keeps me striving to
follow the Lord’s commandments.
The spiritual journey is a life long endeavor. Many spiritual
pilgrims have shared their challenges. In your journey you may
feel blessed and lifted up. And you may feel lost and alone.
The scenery changes. It’s like going down a river that
has dangerous and churning rapids as well as serene pools of
calm water. Throughout the journey I must go with the flow.
If I try to turn around and go against the current I’ll
fail. Sometimes I attempt it, convinced it is the right direction.
After I tire of the effort of self will and once again surrender
I usually get a little clarity. I recognize that I am once again
trying to run my life. It can be really scary to let go, but
we must have faith that Jesus leads us in the right direction.
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Find Your Purpose
You can find your purpose in life by following
Jesus Christ. His words give us eternal life (John 5:24). They
do if we embrace them and do what he teaches us. The commandment
to always love, no matter how we are treated, is difficult.
But how can you argue with perfect love? You are never wrong
when you love. Jesus loved despite the rejection from those
who hated him, and even for a while, by some who loved and followed
him. His passion and death were brutal, but he didn’t
give in to resignation, anger or hate. He took it all upon himself
and he loved through it all. He transformed through his death
the sin of the world. And he rose from the dead, and the great
Easter promise is that death has been conquered by him and he
promises us eternal life if we believe in him and accept his
command to love others like he loves us.
I invite you to read and study the
gospels yourself. See how clear Jesus was about his purpose.
Follow him and discover the promise of love. It won’t
be easy, but he gives us the help and the strength we need with
the Helper (the Holy Spirit) so that we can become like him
and in union with him.
Read more articles
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Scripture taken
from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright
© 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks
of International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for
the offering of goods or services requires the prior written
consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible,
New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission
of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All
rights reserved.
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