1 Peter 2:9-10
Purpose flows naturally from identity. A surgeon performs surgery. A mail carrier delivers mail. A born-again child of God lives to show others the love and goodness of God. You have not just been saved from something. You have been saved for something.
“You have been chosen by God himself—you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God’s very own—all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were less than nothing; now you are God’s own. Once you knew very little of God’s kindness; now your very lives have been changed by it.” (1 Peter 2:9-10, Living Bible)
“God gave us the ministry of reconciliation… We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (2 Corinthians 5:18b, 20)
Being certain of who you are in Christ will determine how you represent Him because your life will always reflect what you believe. As you mature in Christ, your identity will not come from what you do; what you do will flow from your security in who you are in Christ. Once you are certain of God’s love, acceptance, and approval, you don’t need to work to earn it. You serve from gratitude for all He has done for you. You are freed to become Christ’s ambassador and an agent of reconciliation between others and God.
“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, your calling is a mission to disciple others to grow in their understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done for them.
“For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
God has created you uniquely different from every other person. Likewise, His purpose for you is uniquely designed and prepared in advance by Him. The specific way in which you will serve God is a calling you receive as you abide in Christ. You don’t lead the way; you follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. So, as you spend time with your Lord, ask Him to show you what He wants you to offer to others whose hearts and lives He wants to impact through you. He chose you because he loves you!
Sharon Chapman
EFCC Member