Rejecting God’s purpose for us

We were made for a purpose. God’s purpose. What is that purpose?

First and foremost, a relationship with him.

Second, a relationship with those he has put around us. To touch them and to be touched by them.

And finally, to do his will with the gifts and talents he has given us.

Unfortunately, so many people wander around aimlessly in their lives.

Why? Because they have rejected God’s purpose for their lives and are living for themselves.

The Pharisees and teachers of the law were this way. Though Jesus in this passage validates all that John the Baptist did, Luke says of these people,

But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John. (Luke 7:30)

John’s message was twofold. First to repent, the sign of which was carried out through baptism. Second, to point the way to the Messiah.

But the Pharisees and experts in the law were so proud of their own “righteousness,” that they couldn’t see their need to repent.

And when God himself appeared in Jesus, they rejected him. More than that, they crucified him. Thus Matthew said,

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. (Matthew 11:12)

Though the kingdom of God made great strides during John’s ministry, indeed though the King himself appeared shortly thereafter, the Pharisees and experts of the law did their best to put an end to it, not even knowing what they were doing.

In doing so, however, they totally missed God’s purpose for their lives.

But Luke said of the other people listening,

All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. (Luke 7:29)

By humbling themselves, by acknowledging that God’s way was right and repenting of their sin, and ultimately accepting Jesus, they found their way into his kingdom, and a return to the purpose for which God created them.

How about you? Are you in step with God’s purpose for your life?

It starts with repentance. It starts with admitting that you don’t know what’s best and accepting God’s way in your life.

In particular, it means accepting Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. In short, it means to make him Lord in your life. Is he?

It starts with a prayer.

Lord, I’ve been living my own way, and in doing so, I’ve totally missed the purpose for which you created me. Forgive me.

I believe you died on the cross to take the punishment for my sin, and that you rose again three days later.

Now, be my Lord. I want to do things your way. I want to do the things you want me to do.

Draw me closer to you each day, and show me what you want of me. Amen.