Purpose-Driven

Isaiah 5-6, Ephesians 1
Key Verses: Ephesians 1:6a, 12b, 14b

It is not unusual to see posted in a business or printed in an organization's literature things like a vision statement, a mission statement or objectives. Being purpose-driven has become one of the trends of business that has been adopted and adapted by some churches. Even some families and individuals have decided to write vision/mission statements.

Long before any writer or consultant suggested having a clear sense of vision, God communicated to His church that what He was doing was purpose-driven. Three times in Ephesians 1 we find the same basic expression that says, "to the praise of his glory." Each time the phrase is attached to another aspect of God's plan for our salvation, and each time it is in regard to another person of the Trinity.

God purposed and planned our salvation to the praise of His glory. The provision for our salvation is in the finished work of Christ, in whom we hope that we might be "for the praise of his glory." The Holy Spirit is given us as a pledge of our inheritance-again, "to the praise of his glory."

Purpose-driven? Definitely. What God did in eternity past, what Jesus did on Calvary's cross, what the Spirit does in our life, is all with purpose. It is all intended to bring glory to God.

So let's not mess it up! Let's live in a way that brings glory to God and in no way cause Him shame.

It is easy for us to see salvation as just for our benefit. Ask God to help you focus your heart and life on bringing glory to Him. Do not think only about how what He has done is for your good. It is also for His glory.

Joshua 5:13-15

The "What Man"

While watching his father tune up the family car, a five-year-old boy announced, "I know what I want to be when I grow up. I want to be a 'what man'!" His puzzled father asked him to explain, so the little boy elaborated, "A 'what man' has a place where people bring their cars when there is something wrong with them, and he tells them what to do."

Israel had reached a point in their invasion plans where they also needed a "what man." Jericho was surrounded by fortified walls and defended by trained soldiers. Both were seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Yet as Joshua stood near the city, pondering what to do, the Commander of the Lord's army appeared to him. Most Bible scholars believe this to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. Joshua fell down before Him and said, "Tell me what you want me to do."

Often in life we need a "what man." Situations arise leaving us totally confused about what to do. That's when we need to turn to the Lord. Only the Lord God is capable of being our "what man." He has a plan for us that works out all the "whats" and "whys" of life. Through Jeremiah the prophet, He said, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jer. 29:11).

Seek the Lord, read His Word daily, and find out what His will is for you. Avail yourself of His wisdom and you'll discover that He always knows what to do.

Consequences of Rebellion

It is dangerous to rebel against the will and the Word of God and to turn away from His path. Psalm 107 describes the fate of people who did. "Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and irons . . . therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help" (vv. 10,12). Verse 11 tells us why this happened: "Because they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High."

This is the terrible and painful plight of all who rebel against God's will and Word--darkness, death and despair. Instead of being on that wonderful road that leads to glory, they are down in the dungeon in darkness and in bondage, under the shadow of death. People say, "I want to do my own thing. I want to do it my way." They shouldn't. The greatest judgment God might bring to our lives is to let us have our own way. Paul wrote that God gave mankind over to uncleanness, vile passions and a debased mind (Rom. 1:18-32). God says to those who rebel against Him, "Do you want to go in that direction? All right, I won't stop you, but neither will I change the consequences."

The people described in Psalm 107 who rebelled against God's Word ended up in darkness and death, in the dungeon of defeat and despair. But they cried out to God, and He delivered them. It's never too late for God's mercy. You can cry out to Him just as these people did. "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces" (vv. 13,14). They received light and life and liberty because they called upon the Lord.

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Some people need to realize that they have rebelled against God's will. If that is true in your case, call upon Him. He'll deliver you. Then you can praise the Lord "for His goodness and for His wonderful works to the children of men" (v. 15).

Claim Your Inheritance

Ephesians 1:7-15

An inheritance is something that a person comes into possession of because of his relationship with another. It is not something that is earned; it is a gift.

The believer's inheritance includes life itself. By receiving Christ as Saviour, the believer inherits eternal life.

Jesus said, "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).

The inheritance of the believer also includes everything he needs for his life. The believer is actually a citizen of heaven who is on a pilgrim journey on earth. However, God has made all spiritual blessings available to the believer.

Paul told believers, "All things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God" (1 Cor. 3:22,23, NASB).

God's riches made available to the believer are also emphasized in Romans 8:32: "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

Our present blessings are only a small part of our spiritual inheritance, which is to be received in full in the future.

The moment one receives Christ as Saviour he is placed as a mature son into the family of God and becomes an heir of an inheritance that is beyond human comprehension.

We are to let Christ reign in our lives now, but our full spiritual inheritance includes being with Christ and reigning with Him throughout eternity.

"To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Pet. 1:4).