Nov 24, 2015
God’s Purpose For People – Through His People
by Garfield Miller, Missions Coordinator
“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power
and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” (Exodus 9:16)
Earlier this year I enrolled in the course Perspectives on World Christian Movement and found that it was primarily about purpose. As human beings, we rationalize and act upon an understanding of God’s reason for us becoming Christians and our purpose as Christians. The reality is that God’s actions and interactions are purpose-filled and we are meant to live in His purpose.
Between Genesis 1 and 11, we find the narrative of the earliest timeline of the human race: its birth (creation — Genesis 1-2); its degeneration (through sin — Genesis 3); and its division into different language groups (Babel, Genesis 11:1-9). God’s actions in these situations were carried out with love and mercy, though not always seen on the face of it. As a result of man’s willful disobedience, God expelled them from paradise and later divided them into diverse groups as ways of retarding their actions in pursuit of significance in and for themselves. As a part of His restorative plan, God later commissioned Abram to initiate the process of reuniting all peoples of the earth together, unto Himself. An exercise in hope, significance and purpose.
God’s covenant with Abram in Genesis 12 disclosed His purpose for every people. In making the covenant with Abram, God promised to bless him and his descendants (seed). Abram and his seed were to then serve as a channel through which God’s blessings could flow to the rest of the world. “…and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you,” Genesis 12:3b. We have much to be thankful for. God’s purpose and work is to bless the world with His salvation, hence, “God…sent his son Jesus to us firstly to bless us,” Acts 3:26.
Though not all promises are immediately fulfilled, God is steadfast in love and faithfulness. Abraham and Sarah died “not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off,” Hebrews 11:13a. Although Isaac was born to them in fulfillment of God’s promise, their seed was not yet numerous, nor were the nations as yet blessed. We may not now see God’s promises for us fulfilled but let us be patient knowing that God is faithful and can do all things.
“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29 As heirs of God’s promise to Abraham, we are therefore expected to produce other seeds. Matthew 24:14 declares that the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world. Taking on God’s purpose is even made clearer with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20a: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:”
This brings into greater focus the cohesion and seamlessness of the Bible expressing God’s purpose. His purpose is reuniting all peoples of the earth together, unto Himself — making a solid foundation on which a person can build a relationship with Christ to ultimately join God’s cause. His purpose propels sinners (through His Holy Spirit) to want to experience the blessing, and Christians into action to share the blessing. “We were made to live for purpose. God Himself lives for purpose. The way to live with significance is to devote yourself to a purpose that is larger than your life.” (Perspectives on World Christian Movement).
Declaring God’s blessing in Christ is our purpose, this and all seasons.
— Garfield Miller
Missions Coordinator