I can’t say that I have ever met anyone that wanted to live their life without a purpose. Most of us live in this world for something or someone. As Christians, our sense of purpose is even stronger. We now know that we are saved through grace and our life on this earth is short compared to an eternity waiting for us with our Lord and Savior. But in the meantime, what does God call us to do? How can we live our lives so that we have a meaningful, Christ-centered life?
Life As A Christian Today
In this day and age, it almost seems like being a Christian is something that we have to hide. It is not popular to say you go to church on a Sunday and you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. When someone has been hurt by a Christian, instead of judging the person’s sinful nature, it is often Christianity that takes the blame. It can be easy to be categorized by others of the political affiliation you would be in and what policies you would support or be against.
The enemy has been cunning in his scheme to bring down the body of Christ. He has twisted the good that God intended to be bad. Satan has convinced the world that sin is not sin but acceptance of others. He has lied to many that being open-minded means accepting false religions. He has deceived believers and nonbelievers alike that there is more we need than what Jesus has already done for us.
What Does God Call Us To Do
I met a friend who was a Christian for a few years at that point. She had grown up as a Buddhist so her conversion was an amazing story of God using people to reach them. We bonded over how good God is in our lives and become quick, close friends. I learned shortly that there were a few things that were very new to her as a Christian. While she was saved, she was still in the stage of ‘what does God call me to do’?
I thought about myself as a young Christian. I realized that it’s actually a common question that many new Christians face. You found Christ, now what? So what does the Bible say that God calls us to do?
God Calls Us To Know His Word
This may seem strange. How can you even be a Christian without knowing God’s word? Because God calls people to himself, allowing people to get saved through His grace. Even a glimpse of Who He is can change a wretch like us. But to know Him, we need to read the word. There are many Christians that will know all the famous verses. They can even recite John 3:16, Romans 8:28, Psalms 23, and so on.
And while they may know the story of Noah, Abraham, and Moses, many Christians even skip reading most of the old testament altogether! The enemy has deceived us to believe that knowing a few Bible stories or a few verses is enough to know the omnipotent, omniscience, and omnipresent God. But why is it important to read the word of God? Because from Genesis to Revelations, God remains the same God.
We need to know God’s goodness and grace shown to His people over and over again. We need to read of the men and women that he used who were sinners just like us. And we need to see how Jesus is woven in the fabric of time until His birth for us. The most practical application to our life for knowing God’s words means that we get to live in freedom.
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” - John 8:31-32
When Jesus was tempted by Satan during his 40 days fast, it was knowing God’s words that allowed him to overcome the enemy. In this world, we will have challenges. But knowing who our God is and who He says we are allows us to live a life of freedom.
Knowing God’s word tells us the truth about the real situation we are in. That situation is one where we get to be free from the incessant lies and oppressions of the enemy. It is where we get to spend time with the Lord and really get to see Him. There are many churches that give away free Bibles. Get yours next time you go to church. Or it is easy to order one online.
God Calls Us To Love
We know that God is love. In fact, the basis of our faith is this.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16 (NIV)
When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment,
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ - Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)
And while Jesus recited the Law, He also commanded us to love.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. - John 13:34
Loving God is something we may say that we do. Isn’t that what Christianity is about? But to love others? That can be challenging, especially when they have hurt us. However, it is something that we choose to do. Loving God means being obedient to what He has commanded us. Loving people doesn’t mean we forget the pain caused by them. It means despite being what we feel, we can choose to show love. We can be above our emotions and feelings when we choose to be obedient to Jesus’s command.
God can heal all things, including our hearts. That He can take care of. But while He does what only He can do, we need to do what he asks of us. Loving God means we need to love who he loves, which is one another.
God Calls Us To Be Set Apart
The God we serve is Holy. So it should not be a surprise that God calls us to be holy as well.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. - 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
When we become followers of Christ, our old self is gone. We are a new creation that is set apart to live for Christ.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: old has gone, the new is here! - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, to be holy and acceptable to God. It is not a restriction or something that confines us. It is not so we have to “give up” worldly fun and never enjoy ourselves. But it is spiritual worship to the One who is worthy to give our worship to.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. - Romans 12:1 (ESV)
God in His mercies has accepted as we were. We can always come to Him as we are. He knows our shortcomings and He knows our human tendencies for sin. But we now have a Holy Spirit that lives in us to call us and remind us to live for Him. While God gives us free choice, giving Him our lives means we no longer live just to please our own flesh. Being made new, we cannot live as we had been before Christ.
Let Us Pray
Heavenly Father, thank you that you have chosen me as Yours. I praise You that I am made new and the old is gone. Teach me to know to live each day with purpose, knowing what you called me to do. Help me to seek Your face through your word, help me to love others, and remind me to live a life set apart for you. In Jesus’s mighty name, I pray. Amen.