The Purpose of A Disciple of Jesus Christ
PURPOSE - The purpose of a disciple of Jesus Christ is to glorify God by becoming conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:31 - So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.Romans 8:17-18 - Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. [18] I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
2 Corinthians 3:18 - And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Romans 8:29 - For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Every follower of Jesus Christ has the non-negotiable purpose of glorifying God. As individuals created in the image of God and recreated by faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we should live lives that completely glorify God. This is the very purpose for which we were created. As image-bearers we have a purpose - a great and wonderful purpose. Humans are purposeFULL. The Westminster Larger Catechism puts it like this:
Question: What is the chief and highest end of man?
Answer: Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully enjoy him forever.
Why are we here? To bring glory to God in the living of our lives, while at the same time, reflecting that very glory to others in the way we live each day. As new creatures in Christ, we not only intrinsically reflect the glory of God and character of Christ, but we are now free to pursue God's glory in the daily living of our lives. This is our purpose! Glory to God!
The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." No matter what it is in life we are thinking, saying or doing, we want to do it in such a way that God receives glory. In fact, Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 to let our light, (our God-glorying lives), shine before others, so that when they see our good deeds, they would praise our Father in heaven. Whether or not anyone ever sees what we think, hears what we say or watches what we do, God always sees us. We cannot escape his gaze. He looks at our actions, but more importantly, he knows what's going on inside. Jesus said that people are only concerned about what people look like on the outside, but that God looks at our hearts. God is intensely concerned about what motivates us. "As a man thinks, so is he." A God-glorifying life will be a life that seeks to represent God faithfully in all situations - internally and externally - not for our praise but for his glory.