Purpose

 

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 ESV

                God gives purpose and import to all of life. He gives a transcendent purpose and import to all of life as only He can. One of the aspects of the great gift of salvation is the return of purpose to life which was lost in the curse of sin. Apart from the work of Christ and the grace thus extended to us and received by faith we live futile toilsome lives under such conditions that it is rightly said we had been dead in our transgressions. For indeed the unregenerate life is not worth calling life as it has no definite purpose, nor any true import. Whatever it might be said to produce shall as the soul itself be consumed in fire.

                Therefore, we ought to be thankful as we recognize that by grace through faith we have been brought to life in Christ with a purpose in each and every moment which is grand and glorious and shall remain. Now, we might still know toil, and hardship, and trials, and afflictions, and sufferings and indeed we shall know all these things but we shall now also that they have a purpose and that they produce something of eternal value in us and through us. Thus, is our thankfulness unaffected by circumstances as is our aim. And here from one perspective is the secret of contentment regardless of circumstance.

                Beloved, if you do not know what was the futility of the former ways you will not find in the life enough to be thankful for. And you shall not esteem the great pleasure of the grand purpose of glorifying God in all things and so you would live as though you were still dead. So, give consideration to what was not before you received the gift of grace so that you might appreciate and fully embrace the grace that is yours.

Prayer

                Our Father in Heaven may we not forget that we were once children of wraith and citizens in the city of destruction. May we not forget our chains and our fruitless toils. May we not forget the tyranny of sin that reigned over us and in us to our ruination so that we were dead. May we not forget the evil of the former ways so that we might always remember with thankful hearts what great grace is ours in Christ. May we delight in life having been dead, and worship in all our living You who made us alive. To You be all glory. In the name of Christ, the Lord. Amen.

Songs

And can it be?

Gladly would I leave behind by Sovereign Grace

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Be Thou my vision

Come praise and glorify

 

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