Our attitude in life will often be dictated to by what we consider our purpose is in life. Why am I here? - is the question that is often spoken during the adolescent years and if we do not find an answer it is a question that haunts us through our adult life. It is a fundamental question in understanding purpose and has a major effect on the direction we take in our life. If we do not answer that question we can get into all kinds of destructive activities because we see no reason to respect our life, no value to it. It can lead to all kinds of emotional and mental problems. But if we discover that purpose and live according to it then we discover a reason to respect our life and a healthy balance is maintained.
Now the enemy loves to poss as a beacon of light in this matter. He will keep as many people enslaved to him as possible simply by feeding them lies about their purpose. He gets them wasting their life on things that have no value and that will keep them too busy to even consider their true purpose. He keeps them distracted by things that make them feel good and that entertain. At the end of their life they will look back and see no purpose, nothing accomplished, they coasted through; and now judgment.
Our highest purpose is simple, to enjoy fellowship with our Creator. This was made possible by the Creator himself with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This sacrifice opened an incredible door of opportunity for us; an opportunity to draw near to God. The second purpose is whatever service we have been called into in this place. We have been left here by Jesus so that we could join him in the rescue of this world. There is a lot to be done. But instead of looking at the second purpose I want us to consider our highest purpose for a moment.
Consider what Paul had written to the Galatians:
But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? v. 9
What is the difference here between knowing God and being known by God? It is the difference between fellowship and attendance. It is possible to go through life thinking you are doing the right thing but all you have is a head knowledge of Jesus; only the things that have been taught and that you have read about. But to be known by God is a difference matter because that is when true fellowship with the Creature begins. We need more than head knowledge. Jesus prayed:
I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:21-23)
Such richness in fellowship with our God, he in us and us in him. This cannot happen unless we are known by him. We are known by him when we totally surrender ourselves to him, dying with Jesus and then rising from death to live IN Jesus. This is when we become "in him". Not only that but as this happens we are given the Spirit of God IN us so that we are now possessed by him, "he in us". There are so many people bearing the name of Christ who have never experienced this and are trying to live their purpose without knowing fellowship with our God. They are the ones who are still trying to live the law because they know no other way. But this is frightening because of Jesus' warning:
"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.'
"But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'
"Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.'
"But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'" (Luke 13:24-27)
The possibility of these words being spoken to us should strike terror in our hearts. It is not hell I am afraid of but of not being in fellowship with Jesus. David had that same fear:
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me. (Psalm 51:11)
If you are not sure you have fellowship with God then you don't have it. Fellowship brings awareness of his love in such a way that every day you feel overwhelmed by his attention and affections. If you have this fellowship then you have no problem carrying out your second purpose regardless of the cost. And if you have this fellowship then your heart is burning for everyone to experience it. It is of vital importance that Jesus knows you. It is far more important that he knows you than that you know of him. Maybe you can quote the Bible until the cows come home but it won't matter on that DAY, the final DAY if Jesus does not know you.
Seek him out. Desire to be known. Call out to him while you still can. Desire to be possessed by him. Be willing to die to be possessed. It is the richest experience that you will ever have, to be known by Jesus.
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