One of the greatest gifts of Christmas is experiencing a worthwhile and satisfying life. God offers us ALL the opportunity to have a purpose that brings us utter satisfaction. It begins when we are born again. But we were not redeemed to merely drift, survive, or chase our own comfort. If your life has become aimless (we all tend to drift there), then allow this message of His glorious purpose to fill you with joy!
We are born on a battlefield. Since our fall in the Garden of Eden, all of humanity has lived in a sin-torn world. To live in victory, we must be fully aware of our primary objective! When we are born again, we are freed from living in the shallow purpose of self-glory or self-gratification.
But you may ask: Is the spiritual battle the primary purpose for which God created me?
Consider this. Adam and Eve existed in peace with God before they chose to sin and bring the full force of a raging spiritual warfare upon the human race. In that context, spiritual warfare as our purpose—is ruled out. So, has God’s purpose changed for us? Ah, it most definitely has not! Throughout Scripture, hundreds of verses provide a direct answer to the question of the purpose of the human race. Here are a few of my favorites:
1 Corinthians 10:31:“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do ALL to the glory of God.”
Isaiah 43:7: “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Jeremiah 9:23–24: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Let NOT the wise man glory in his wisdom, let NOT the mighty man glory in his might, NOR let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:26–31: “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.’”
You may ask (as I did when I discovered that my greatest purpose is to glorify God): “WHAT? That’s it? Living for God’s glory??? Well, WHAT about the Great Commission and living in loving obedience to the Word?”
It’s true, the Bible is full of commandments—things we are supposed to do and things we’re not supposed to do.
But no obedience is sustainable without an overarching and fully satisfying purpose, is it?
We obey what we desire. Put simply, we do what we want. Unless we desire God’s presence and His glory more than anything else…our obedience will quickly become unsatisfying, twisted, and broken. Why? Because someone besides God is on the throne of our heart. Thus, we will abandon it to seek satisfaction elsewhere. I sure did! As a born again believer, I dethroned God and train-wrecked my life (and many others as well). I was broken and without purpose. Then God brought me back! My friend, you are not alone. God’s glory IS the daily struggle for every born again believer!
We must encourage each other to remain steadfastly focused on God’s purpose for us…to glorify Him in all we do!
When God’s glory is our center, He transforms our perspective on obedience. I’d like to share a few of the following ways He does this:
1. Living for God’s glory transforms obedience from burden to delight.
John 14:6: “I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” ~Jesus
When God’s glory is our purpose, sharing our testimony and the Gospel becomes delightfully satisfying because we no longer carry the crushing weight of thinking WE need to save anyone. We are free to share, to love, to pray. We place the result in His hands. We live with the rich knowledge that the results—and the glory—belong to Him.
2. Glorifying God makes us thankful and keeps us from being fools.
Romans 1:20–22: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen… so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did NOT glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools…”
God commands us many times to “give thanks” in ALL things. When God’s glory is our purpose, we realize that unthankfulness and self-glorification make us fools because we are stripped of God’s wisdom. But to be thankful and glorify Him enlightens us. The burden of wisdom is not on us—He protects our minds. He gives us His path of peace and satisfaction.
3. Living for God’s glory frees us from the burden of self-transformation.
2 Corinthians 3:17–18: “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is LIBERTY. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
When God’s glory is our purpose, obedience becomes deeply satisfying because transformation is no longer our responsibility—His Spirit brings freedom, change, and growth as we daily set a very simple goal: Live for His glory.
4. Glorifying God on this earth gives us a sneak preview of eternity.
Philippians 2:9–11:“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Knowing that our purpose is to glorify God changes everything. EVERY circumstance becomes an invitation to watch Him work — and to give Him glory. Moses asked God in Exodus 33:18, “Please, show me Your glory.” Why? Because once we develop a taste for glorifying God, it becomes our greatest addiction!
My friend, whatever circumstances you face today, remember this Christmas gift: God has given you the greatest purpose—to bring Him glory!
No other creature on earth has been given this privilege. Jesus died to bring us into His glory. If you are born again, you have the power and wisdom of God’s Spirit. He knows the way forward. As He led Israel with a pillar of glory and parted waters before them, He will lead you too.
God loves us so much He gave ALL He had, so that we could live ALL we are—for His glory.
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the GLORY of the Lord has risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1
“Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the GLORY of the Lord shall be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:8
Prayer
Father, thank You for the precious gift of a deeply satisfying purpose. Thank You that in Christ, my life is no longer small, shallow, or wasted on self. You have called me to live for Your glory — the highest calling a human can ever receive. Today I surrender myself again. I lay down every selfish ambition, every fear, every distraction, and every burden that competes for Your glory in my life. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I think, speak, and do to reflect Your goodness and honor Your name. This Christmas, let the light of Christ shine through me more clearly than ever. May my life bring You glory today, tomorrow, and for all eternity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
