This is the second post in a four-part series exploring what it means to belong to God. Read the first part here.
"... yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." -1 Corinthians 8:6
A few translations of this verse state, “we exist for Him.” As we continue to drill down on God’s ownership of us and the implications of our beloved Father’s ownership, it should comfort us to know that God made all of Himself available to us for our care.
If the price is the cross of Christ and the love shown by Christ—when we were His enemies—now that we are sons and daughters, can we not trust Him for all things?
The ultimate meaning of my life comes from living for the sake of His name and the gospel. If I believe this and act upon it, will God not give me everything that I need to live an abundant life?
"'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.'" -John 10:10
Jesus’ whole purpose was to bring us the fullness of life, joy in all things, and freedom to be who we were made to be. This can only be found by living for the glory of God.
Why does understanding God’s ownership of us and pursuing His glory provide us with all the meaning and purpose that we need? It’s simple. The Creator knows what the ultimate purpose of His creation is designed to be.
God Almighty, ignited by His love for us, designed us to find our ultimate meaning in abandonment to His purpose, plan, and glory. The hole in my life before Christ Jesus could never be filled by anything other than God Himself. But once filled with Christ’s living presence, the emptiness flees and the joy follows.
The very words that God spoke through Solomon tell us this: "'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2b, NKJV).'" Yes, everything is empty apart from becoming new creatures in Christ Jesus.
There is no temporary fix in modern-day culture—no matter how great it might be—that can take away the supernatural joy of knowing you are God’s son or daughter.
We are made to maximize our existence by believing we have been bought by God at the price of Jesus’ suffering and rejection. And not only life everlasting but also life today is found in seeking the glory of the Living God.
All we long for is found in passionately seeking God’s honor and glory in each of the numerous choices we make on a daily basis. Self-glory is but a vapor when compared to pointing people to the glory of Jesus the Christ, our Savior and God.
This, my friend, is why we need each other in the Body of Christ. The fight of the heart—to trust God no matter what—is a daily struggle. But unspeakable joy awaits us if we fight well and depend on the Lord.
Thank you for fighting well for the glory, honor, and praise of our soon coming King.
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