What if the main purpose of being a Christian was not to get out the Gospel?[1] If true, what would this imply? Well, as I see it, it would mean a lot of great big worldwide ministries would not be necessary. But, is it true? First, I should say we are commissioned to preach the Gospel. However, I also need to say this is not the main purpose of my being a Christian. Technically, a non-Christian could spread the Gospel. If it suddenly became a consuming interest of a great many people, the Gospel would be headline news both on TV and in every newspaper around the world. So, technically, just being a Christian is not necessary to spreading the Gospel.
What, then, is the chief reason for being who we are? Well, it hasn’t changed since Eden, because God doesn’t change. If his purpose for us was to see him then, it cannot have changed with the coming of Jesus. Jesus said the greatest commandment or desire of God is for me to “Love the Lord my God with all my heart, and all my soul and with all my mind and with all my strength…” (Mark 12:30). Through the Scriptures Moses asks me: “What does the Lord my God require of me, than to fear him, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve him with all my heart and soul?” (Deuteronomy 10:12).
God has not changed is purpose for us, and any service we do for him, including preaching the Gospel, should be something that grows out of our relationship with him. First and foremost is our relationship with God, and then comes our service for him. If I don’t know him properly or love him wholly, how can anything I do for him be anointed by him? Will he put his signature upon my work, if it doesn’t properly represent him? Therefore, preaching the Gospel must come behind my entering into the presence of God and letting him change me into who he wants me to be. This is what Jesus did with the Twelve, and this is what he did with Paul. The Twelve were not sent out immediately and neither was Paul. All spent time coming to know Jesus and who he is before they were sent out by Jesus to represent him.
Today, it seems as soon as we become a Christian we are expected to submit to serving the Gospel, either by witnessing to our neighbors or, more often than not, by simply supporting the Gospel with what is ours. These things are not wrong in themselves, but the emphasis is upon spreading the Gospel and not entering into the presence of God and developing our relationship with him. On the other hand, if we worship at one of the more emotionally inclined Christian communities, the emphasis is placed upon the gifts. Some may not even feel like they are a part of the Body of Christ, unless one of the gifts of the Spirit (usually tongues) is manifest in one’s life. The emphasis is placed upon **it** rather than HIM.
The tragedy for both of these problems is that I can spread the Gospel in my own power and remain unchanged in character before my holy God. It can be seen that the gifts of the Spirit are manifest in some men who are later exposed as people overcome with a particular sin. What has gone wrong? The heart of the problem is we neglect the priority of our call, which is first to love God with our whole heart, our whole soul, our whole mind and all of our strength. If we are doing this—if we are seeing God, we shall have no trouble serving him. If we are rooted in the Vine, we shall be holy, because he is holy (John 15:5; Romans 11:16). First comes my fellowship with God, and life thereby. Afterward comes what I do in his name—being anointed by him for his purpose.
[1] This blog was inspired by my reading a book entitled We Would See Jesus by Roy and Revel Hession; Christian Literature Crusade; Fort Washington, Pennsylvania 19034; Copyright 1958. I bought the book years ago and have read it several times. At the writing of this blog, I am reading it again. Although I don’t believe I have merely put down the authors thoughts, some similarity is inevitable. I have used some of the Scripture references used by the authors, but not all, and all the Scriptures I have used are not contained in the book. Moreover, there are some doctrinal difference between us that would prevent the authors from concluding everything I have in my blogs. So, while there is some similarity, my blogs are not copies of the authors’ material. Anyway, I wish to be as honest about this as I am able, so let this disclosure inform the reader as needed.
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4 responses to “What is the Purpose of the Christian Life?”
Thanks for a great reminder. We are reconciled back to God through Jesus for the purpose of fellowship with the Father. Super easy to forget this. Thanks again.
Tony
Thank you for sharing. My Pastor’s theme seems to be “Relationship Is Everything” … as the days go by I’m beginning to see how it all adds up.
A right relationship with God will help us in our other relationships. When we know Him well, we can represent Him better. Then we may do less talking because our actions will show what we believe.
Blessings
ann
Hi Tony,
Thank you for reading my blog. Yes, I have found that God is so meek, it is very easy to forget him while being very involved in serving him. It is his glory to hide himself, but it is our glory to seek him out (Proverbs 25:2).
Blessings,
Eddie
Hi Ann,
Thank you for reading my blog and for taking the time to comment. You have a wonderful Pastor. Hold him up in prayer, because relationship is everything, indeed.
Lord bless,
Eddie