This blog post is all about Christian purpose
Many people are in pursuit of discovering their Christian purpose.
As Christians, our purpose in life is different: to discover and live in alignment with God’s will.
If you are on this same quest, this blog post is dedicated to you!
In this article, you’ll learn:
- The difference between a worldly purpose and a godly purpose
- How to live your purpose authentically
- Bible verses that support living with a higher purpose.
- Are you living your authentic Christian purpose? (with free questionnaire)
So let us begin our exploration of a powerful and life-changing Christian purpose.
Ready? Let’s go!
What is our purpose according to the Bible? (characteristics)
The Bible is clear on the purpose and intent of our lives.
Below are seven characteristics of Christian purpose, and why we should strive to live according to God’s plan.
1. Established by God
The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
This tells us that our lives were created with a purpose and plan already established by God. We must strive to live according to this divinely appointed plan.
2. Glorify God
God desires us to honor and glorify Him in all we do.
Colossians 3:17 instructs us, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Our lives should reflect our love for God and His authority in our lives.
3. Align with God’s will (not the worlds)
According to Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
We should strive to think and act in a way that pleases God.
4. Love
It is important for us to show love and compassion to everyone we come in contact with, as outlined in 1 John 4:7-8, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love.”
5. Has a mark of excellence (even in thought)
Philippians 4:8 instructs us to “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Our thoughts should be pure and holy rather than filled with the distractions of this world.
You can read more on the spirit of excellence here.
6. Abiding by God’s commands i.e. Forgiveness
Sixth, we should strive to abide by God’s commands i.e. forgive others as God has forgiven us.
Joshua 1:8, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.”
Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
7. Humility and gratitude
Finally, we should seek to serve others in all that we do.
Matthew 25:40 reminds us, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'”
Our goal should be to serve humbly and with a heart full of gratitude.
God created you for a purpose (Bible verses)
Here are some additional Bible verses that tie beautifully with this topic:
Colossians 1:16 reminds us that God created the world through Jesus for Him to have preeminence in all things. This means He had a purpose in mind when creating each one of us; we are not an accident!
Colossians 1:16, “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.“
1 Peter 2:9 explains how we were chosen before the world was created, according to God’s good pleasure. He chose each of us for a specific purpose, and it is up to us to discover that purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11 encourages us that God knows the plans He has for us- plans of hope and a future. We can trust in His faithful plan for our lives; however hard it may be to discern.
Acts 2:23 is a powerful verse that reiterates this message that Jesus was appointed by God and that He had a purpose coming; His death and resurrection are the ultimate demonstrations of God’s love for us.
Finally, Proverbs 19:21 highlights that we all have a purpose in life- many plans are in our hearts, but the Lord’s purposes will prevail. We can trust that no matter what we plan, God is ultimately in control and has a perfect plan for us.
Differences between Christian purpose and worldly purpose
Before I start with the differences, let me put out a quick disclaimer or caveat.
Disclaimer: Worldly purpose can often produce some good in the short term, and it is true that many people have achieved great things by following their own sense of direction.
However, things can quickly go awry when worldly pursuits are not within the parameters of God’s word.
Worldly goals can often lead us away from God’s plan for our lives, severely affecting our future. This is because, without a higher power (El Shaddai, the Almighty God) to guide our decisions, we may lack the insight, discernment, and moral compass needed to make decisions that are truly beneficial.
Here are the differences:
1. Holy Spirit
The first difference between worldly purpose and Christian purpose is the presence of the Holy Spirit.
As Christians, we have been blessed with discernment, life-giving wisdom, and a special connection to the Holy Spirit, who guides us in our decision-making.
The Holy Spirit helps us to focus on God’s will for our lives rather than our own desires.
Through the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to discern between good and bad choices and are reminded that God is always in control of our lives.
2. Source
Worldly purpose usually comes from within, while Christian purpose originates from God.
When our purpose originates from God, we can be confident that we are living with a true and meaningful purpose that is aligned with His will.
3. The focus of our lives
Another difference is in the focus of our lives.
Worldly purpose may also lead us to focus solely on ourselves and ignore the needs of those around us. Conversely, Christian purpose reminds us that we are our brother’s keeper and compels us to care for the least of these.
As Christians, let us remember that our ultimate goal should be to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). When we do this, we will always find purpose and meaning in life.
4. Material possessions vs. glorifying God
The fourth difference is in the ultimate outcomes of our lives.
With worldly purpose, success is often measured by material possessions or personal accomplishments.
We may feel good about what we have achieved, but it can quickly become meaningless when there is nothing more to strive for.
On the other hand, a Christian’s purpose is ultimately focused on glorifying God and living a life that brings Him honor.
5. Selfish desires vs. love
Another difference is in the motivation behind our actions.
A Christian’s purpose is driven by love for God, while worldly pursuits are often motivated by selfish desires or self-fulfillment. Our focus should always be on pleasing Him and following His commands.
Worldly pursuits often lead to competition, envy, and greed. As Christians, we are called to love one another and serve one another as Christ did for us. This requires humility and a willingness to put others before ourselves.
6. Power and control vs. Submission to God’s will
In addition, worldly purpose often involves seeking power and control over others instead of humbly submitting to God’s will and stewardship of His creation.
On the other hand, Christian purpose centers around humbly submitting to God and His loving authority.
7. Fleeting temporal desires vs. long term effects
Lastly, worldly purpose can lead us to make decisions based on fleeting desires without considering the long-term effects, while Christian purpose reminds us to seek God’s counsel and align our choices with His good plans for our lives.
Another difference between worldly purpose and Christian purpose is the focus on temporal things versus eternal treasures. Worldly purpose often centers around seeking temporary satisfaction, while Christian purpose is focused on storing up treasure in heaven where it cannot be taken away or destroyed.
Are you living your authentic Christian purpose?
Authentic purpose is living out the purpose that God has tailor-made for YOU, not someone else’s but YOU.
This concept can be found in Jeremiah 1:5, which says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
This verse conveys that God has already planned out our purpose before we are even born, and it is up to us to discover and live out that unique purpose in order to fulfill His will for our lives.
We should not look to others or try to copy their purpose, but rather look within ourselves and discover what God has called us to do.
Here is the, “Are you living your authentic Christian purpose?” questionnaire:
1. What would you like your legacy to be?
Ask yourself, “What do I want people to remember me by?”
Imagine what you would like your life to look like when you have accomplished the goals and dreams God has set for you in this lifetime.
2. What do people say you are good at?
Ask those who know you well to give an honest assessment of your strengths and weaknesses.
What are you naturally good at?
Have you experienced a particular area of growth recently?
Are there new tools or ideas that have been helpful in your journey?
3. What lessons do you feel God is turning into purpose?
Ask yourself, “What have I learned since I began this journey?”
Think about moments when God has revealed Himself through a particular lesson.
Consider what He may be calling you to do with this new insight.
4. What are common themes that show up in your life?
Is there a certain passion or ministry you feel called to?
Are there particular character qualities you strive to maintain, such as kindness and generosity?
Are there particular causes or events that keep coming up in your life?
Taking note of what shows up repeatedly in your life can help you identify the areas of purpose God has for you.
Once you have answered these questions, take some time to reflect on your answers. Consider how you can use them to make meaningful changes in your life that will help you live a more authentic Christian purpose. Remember that God works in mysterious ways, and sometimes it may require sacrifices or changes in lifestyle and mindset to move closer to fulfilling His divine plan for you.
Tips can help you live a Christian purpose in life
Following these tips can help you live a purpose-driven Christian life, one that is guided by the Word of God and His principles.
By allowing God to lead the way, you can experience true joy and fulfillment in life!
1. Prayer
Start by spending time in prayer and Bible study, so the Word of God can guide you.
Prayer is a powerful tool that allows us to communicate with our Creator while studying His Word helps us understand what He wants us to do.
This knowledge will help you live a purpose-driven life based on His plan for you and help direct your decisions.
2. Evaluate and reflect
Take time to regularly evaluate and reflect upon your life goals and objectives to ensure that they remain consistent with the Word of God.
This will also provide direction for making decisions about important matters such as relationships, jobs, and other activities.
3. Get a mission statement
Develop a personal mission statement that reflects your Christian identity.
This mission statement should incorporate biblical principles and be a constant reminder of what you strive to achieve in life.
Feel free to look at my personal mission statement on my homepage.
4. Get into a routine!
Make sure that your daily habits and activities line up with God’s will for you.
Take time each day to read the Bible, pray, and actively seek opportunities to serve others and glorify God.
5. Find your tribe
Surround yourself with people who have similar values and beliefs so that you can draw strength from their faith and commitment.
Working together as a team will help keep each other accountable and motivate each other to stay on track in pursuing the goals that God has set for your life.
6. Take new opportunities
Don’t be afraid to take new opportunities and try new things in life, as long as they are consistent with the Word of God.
Taking new opportunities that weren’t accessible before can help you grow in your faith journey.
7. Be patient
Remember what the Bible says about patience.
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results from your efforts, as God works in mysterious ways and will reward us when the time is right.
8. Faith!
Lastly, have faith that God will provide for all of your needs and guide you on your journey. His love is unconditional, and He will always be there to provide strength and guidance during difficult times.
Christian purpose: Process and preparation
The process of training and preparation is an essential part of Christian purpose, even when it’s uncomfortable or challenging.
For instance, King David and Joseph both underwent processes that prepared them to fulfill their God-given destinies.
Similarly, Gideon was taken through a spiritual journey in order to prepare him for the task given by God: destroying the evil altars of Baal worship in his region.
This example shows how God can take us through a process of training and preparation to equip us for whatever task He has called us to do.
Ultimately, the goal is that we may grow in wisdom and spiritual understanding, allowing us to better serve Him and His Kingdom agenda.
As we faithfully trust and obey Him during preparation, our faith will increase, and spiritual understanding will deepen.
And that’s it, folks, Christian purpose
I hope you enjoyed this post!
Wow! Isn’t it so comforting to know that we were created for a purpose and that God has faithfully orchestrated our lives according to that purpose?
We can truly take heart and lean into His loving plan for our lives as we seek to discover what that purpose is.
Takeaways:
- Let’s remember our purpose and strive to do the work that God has called us to do.
- May we never forget that we were created for a divine purpose – with great love, power, and authority from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
- May we live our lives with faithfulness, humility, and courage as we seek to honor God in all we do.
You may also like the following blog posts:
How to find your God-given gift
Hearts and hugs,
