The Lord has made everything for it’s purpose….. Proverbs 16: 4
Purpose is defined as ~ the reason for which something is done or created, or for which something exists.
A wise man once said, “If you don’t understand the purpose of a thing, you misuse it.”
The gospel of John reminds us that all things have been made through Him and without him was not anything made that was made. Colossians highlights all things in heaven, on earth, visible, invisible, whether thrones, dominions, rulers or authorities, all things are made by Him, through Him and for Him.
Jesus’ pursuit of justice and mercy as the servant of God, sent as the Son of man, redeemed and established righteousness in a people. Jesus, now seated in heavenly places with all authority in heaven and earth given unto Him, has authorized use of His name and power to the children of God.
What comes first, purpose or creation? Do we create and then determine purpose, I don’t think so. Being fearfully and wonderfully made speaks to intent of design. God had purpose before he created the earth. Proverbs tells us He possessed wisdom at the beginning of his work. Before anything was shaped and brought forth, God had intent. With mans creation, purpose is then communicated. The question, “Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?reveals purpose preceded creation.
As the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus for good works, we have been prepared to carry forth His purposes on this earth. We have an inheritance in Christ being predestined according to His purpose who works all things according to the counsel of His will. ‘There are many plans in a mans heart, but it’s the Lord’s purpose that prevails’ Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Not only have all things been made by Him and through Him but FOR HIM. Paul wrote to the church of Corinth, from his first letter in chapter six, the reminder that they were not their own, rather joined to the Lord, they became one spirit with Him. He exhorts the body of Christ with this revelation in Romans to yield their bodies as servants unto righteousness.
Fulfilling our purpose on this earth is to find our place of identity and oneness with Jesus to engage in His purpose. Life must be about Jesus. When we can learn to live from our union with Him worldly pulls lose their hold.
Gods ultimate purpose, for the fulness of times, which he set forth in Christ, is to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Jesus lived and works (ever living to make intercession for us) to serve the purposes of our Father.
With an understanding that He alone satisfies, our press for purpose can be fully realized in our press for a oneness with Him. We are here, with all resources of heaven, to continue His work. We are the ministers of reconciliation, committed with a word of reconciliation, living in an hour needing greater works to be done.
We live in a tension of being and doing, yet it is one expression. Our union with Him, enables us unto doing. Apart from Him we can do nothing that extends His purpose on this earth. Vitally united with Him, we hold His mind and heart, enabling us to do, as Jesus proclaimed, what we see the Father doing.
From Isaiah forty-two we find the standard of Jesus (and so us) as the servant of God. Isaiah admonishes, Behold this servant! Look at this one. Look at this kind. He becomes our standard of service.
We note from this proclamation of ‘servant’, the humility and obedience acknowledged prior to the upholding and delighting, prior to the deposit of His Spirit upon Him. We can see this from the gospels where Jesus’ act of obedience to submit to baptism at the hand of John was key to the open heaven over Him. Validation and empowerment came after the obedience.
In conversation with my David, he notes, You can be a beloved son and not be well pleasing. Most preaching is designed to make people feel the love from God…but without the crisis point of obedience, the well pleasing isn’t heard and we are not validated or endowed with the Spirit for further obedience, unto justice on the earth. In obedience we become Him, corporately moved along by His Spirit, into His righteous government on the earth, which is so much larger than simply ‘social justice. For it to be righteous, justice it must flow from God’s standard of righteousness.
Our efforts to establish justice and mercy are increased as we walk humbly before Him, always dependent upon our union with and obedience to Him
The Lord has made everything for His purposes.
May we be found faithful!