"But nothing, not even my life, is more important than my completing my mission" (Acts 20:24, CEB). "Seek not to be a man of success but of value." --Albert Einstein
"Expect Great Things From God, Attempt Great Things for God." -- a sermon by William Carey, "the Father of Modern Missions"
"Expect Great Things From God, Attempt Great Things for God." -- a sermon by William Carey, "the Father of Modern Missions"
"Invest your life in something that will outlast it." (William James).
It is widely said that the purpose in life is to live with purpose; this is partly true, but only when fulfilled in God's will. God will fulfill His purpose for us (cf. Psa. 57:2, 138:8; Job 23:14). It is also said that life makes no sense without God in the equation! Bertrand Russell, famed atheist and philosopher-mathematician, said, "Unless you assume a God, the question of life's purpose is meaningless." Jean-Paul Sartre said we are a "useless passion" without God in the picture. God created all of us for His glory (cf. Isa. 43:7; Prov. 16:4) and we realize it as vessels of honor or dishonor--accountability is the issue: God created us all for such a time as this (cf. Esth. 4:14)!
There is not too much evil in the world for God's glory to be revealed through us! We must not just look at the evil and ask, "Where's God?" but look at the good and see God--where did it come from? God restrains evil and turns it into good (cf. Gen. 50:20). He even makes the wrath of man to bring praise to Him (cf. Psa. 76:10). Those who don't see God have a problem of the heart, for there's enough evidence for the willing, but never enough for the stubborn and rebellious heart--it's always a matter of the hear (that's the very heart of the matter)! We all leave a legacy whether we want to or not but our purpose is not to be remembered, but to prepare for our eternal home! We should really live for something bigger than ourselves and will outlast us--living for self is suicidal, depressing, and self-defeating, for one never feels fulfilled that way.
The only meaningful way to live is in light of eternity and not for the here and now. There is a much bigger world out there and it's not about us! This is why The Westminster Shorter Catechism addresses the issue: "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." (I might add, glorify God by enjoying Him forever per John Piper in Desiring God) God is most pleased with us when we find joy in doing God's will with a smile--that's true holiness according to Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
God isn't against good works, He just won't reward those done in the flesh! Those in the flesh cannot please God (cf. Rom. 8:8). Rick Warren says, [A]ll achievements are eventually surpassed, records are broken, reputations fade, and tributes are forgotten." I might add: Diplomas fade into obscurity too--for all our achievements in the flesh are as filthy rags (Isa. 64:6) to God and all we do is God's gift to us as He works it all through us by grace (cf. Isa. 26:12; Hos. 14:8)--He is at work within us to do His will (cf. Phil 2:13)! Paul said that he would venture not to boast of anything but what Christ had accomplished through him (cf. Rom. 15:18).
All our good deeds will be weighed in the balance and found wanting, measured by the plumb line of the Word, and tried in the crucible of fire to see whether they are worthy of reward, or just done selfishly with wrong motives. That's where a lot of people who have had great ambition, but it was not holy ambition, but selfish ambition will be surprised. Anyone can accomplish much if he has the motive, and some people have impure ones. True morality is when the motive, means and end result are all pure in God's eyes. Point in fact: Our righteousness is God's gift to us (cf. Hos. 14:8; Isa. 26:12; Isa. 45:24)--what we do with it is our gift to God.
We can make an impact in this world and make a mark not to be forgotten--for we all seek significance and importance instinctively. No one wants to be a nobody. We all want to feel we are contributing to the greater good of our fellow man and being a giver, not just a taker, returning some of what we consume and paying back to society somehow. out of our abundance. We all need fulfillment and to feel that we make a difference! This means a man wants to be acknowledged and recognized, not ignored or unnoticed. With God we have dignity, without Him we are nothing! I am reminded of a man who complained to God that his special achievement had been lost and regretted he couldn't bring it into eternity and then the Lord told him He was going to burn it up anyway! Some people will suffer loss for their motives are impure but they will be saved as if by fire (cf. 1 Cor. 3:15).
Each day we are given opportunities, time, gifts, resources, relationships, and tools to use for God's glory with our talents, spiritual gifts and abilities, but to whom much is given much is required! We are accountable to God for all His blessings and provisions and will be judged for all our deeds done in the flesh (cf. Rom. 2:6; Psa. 62:12) as to whether they deserve compensation and reward. If all goes well according to God's will we will be affirmed, promoted, rewarded and celebrated--for we will enter the joy of the Lord and be glorified to His image. NB: Religion is about man's achievements, but Christianity is about God's accomplishment! In sum, when push comes to shove, all in all, God doesn't want our achievements--He wants our obedience to His will and cooperation with the Spirit; i.e., He wants us as a living sacrifice; i.e., to live for Him!"
IN CLOSING: WILLIAM CAREY SAID, "ATTEMPT GREAT THINGS FOR GOD; EXPECT GREAT THINGS FROM GOD." Soli Deo Gloria!
It is widely said that the purpose in life is to live with purpose; this is partly true, but only when fulfilled in God's will. God will fulfill His purpose for us (cf. Psa. 57:2, 138:8; Job 23:14). It is also said that life makes no sense without God in the equation! Bertrand Russell, famed atheist and philosopher-mathematician, said, "Unless you assume a God, the question of life's purpose is meaningless." Jean-Paul Sartre said we are a "useless passion" without God in the picture. God created all of us for His glory (cf. Isa. 43:7; Prov. 16:4) and we realize it as vessels of honor or dishonor--accountability is the issue: God created us all for such a time as this (cf. Esth. 4:14)!
There is not too much evil in the world for God's glory to be revealed through us! We must not just look at the evil and ask, "Where's God?" but look at the good and see God--where did it come from? God restrains evil and turns it into good (cf. Gen. 50:20). He even makes the wrath of man to bring praise to Him (cf. Psa. 76:10). Those who don't see God have a problem of the heart, for there's enough evidence for the willing, but never enough for the stubborn and rebellious heart--it's always a matter of the hear (that's the very heart of the matter)! We all leave a legacy whether we want to or not but our purpose is not to be remembered, but to prepare for our eternal home! We should really live for something bigger than ourselves and will outlast us--living for self is suicidal, depressing, and self-defeating, for one never feels fulfilled that way.
The only meaningful way to live is in light of eternity and not for the here and now. There is a much bigger world out there and it's not about us! This is why The Westminster Shorter Catechism addresses the issue: "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." (I might add, glorify God by enjoying Him forever per John Piper in Desiring God) God is most pleased with us when we find joy in doing God's will with a smile--that's true holiness according to Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
God isn't against good works, He just won't reward those done in the flesh! Those in the flesh cannot please God (cf. Rom. 8:8). Rick Warren says, [A]ll achievements are eventually surpassed, records are broken, reputations fade, and tributes are forgotten." I might add: Diplomas fade into obscurity too--for all our achievements in the flesh are as filthy rags (Isa. 64:6) to God and all we do is God's gift to us as He works it all through us by grace (cf. Isa. 26:12; Hos. 14:8)--He is at work within us to do His will (cf. Phil 2:13)! Paul said that he would venture not to boast of anything but what Christ had accomplished through him (cf. Rom. 15:18).
All our good deeds will be weighed in the balance and found wanting, measured by the plumb line of the Word, and tried in the crucible of fire to see whether they are worthy of reward, or just done selfishly with wrong motives. That's where a lot of people who have had great ambition, but it was not holy ambition, but selfish ambition will be surprised. Anyone can accomplish much if he has the motive, and some people have impure ones. True morality is when the motive, means and end result are all pure in God's eyes. Point in fact: Our righteousness is God's gift to us (cf. Hos. 14:8; Isa. 26:12; Isa. 45:24)--what we do with it is our gift to God.
We can make an impact in this world and make a mark not to be forgotten--for we all seek significance and importance instinctively. No one wants to be a nobody. We all want to feel we are contributing to the greater good of our fellow man and being a giver, not just a taker, returning some of what we consume and paying back to society somehow. out of our abundance. We all need fulfillment and to feel that we make a difference! This means a man wants to be acknowledged and recognized, not ignored or unnoticed. With God we have dignity, without Him we are nothing! I am reminded of a man who complained to God that his special achievement had been lost and regretted he couldn't bring it into eternity and then the Lord told him He was going to burn it up anyway! Some people will suffer loss for their motives are impure but they will be saved as if by fire (cf. 1 Cor. 3:15).
Each day we are given opportunities, time, gifts, resources, relationships, and tools to use for God's glory with our talents, spiritual gifts and abilities, but to whom much is given much is required! We are accountable to God for all His blessings and provisions and will be judged for all our deeds done in the flesh (cf. Rom. 2:6; Psa. 62:12) as to whether they deserve compensation and reward. If all goes well according to God's will we will be affirmed, promoted, rewarded and celebrated--for we will enter the joy of the Lord and be glorified to His image. NB: Religion is about man's achievements, but Christianity is about God's accomplishment! In sum, when push comes to shove, all in all, God doesn't want our achievements--He wants our obedience to His will and cooperation with the Spirit; i.e., He wants us as a living sacrifice; i.e., to live for Him!"
IN CLOSING: WILLIAM CAREY SAID, "ATTEMPT GREAT THINGS FOR GOD; EXPECT GREAT THINGS FROM GOD." Soli Deo Gloria!
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