![]() How are we going to achieve that purpose God has placed in our lives? That is what I hope to address in this series of articles. And this implies that every thought and word and deed that does not glorify God is a waste of the life God has given us. So that means that it is our purpose in life, 24/7/52, to glorify God in our thoughts and words and deeds, and that only in this way will we enjoy God and so also enjoy life. Let me pause for a moment here to clarify what we have been considering. The Bible very specifically includes such details of life as eating and drinking: “ Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 - Bold letters mine, GW). Life is wasted when we do not live for the glory of God. We belong to Christ, not to ourselves! That implies that we do not have a license to do as we please, but that we do everything to please Him to Whom we belong! Heartily willing and ready to - in the words of John Calvin - “offer up our hearts, promptly and sincerely.” We need to be continually reminded of the deep and rich significance of these words and allow them to penetrate deeply into our hearts again and again, so that they are not just a wonderful theoretical confession but that we also live these words in our daily lives. ![]() This Lord’s Day is so immeasurably rich and comforting and instructive! Sometimes I feel that we who have grown up with these riches and have learnt them off by heart so that we eventually could make our public profession of faith, quickly become so familiar with these words penned down some four and a half centuries ago, that they no longer leave us deeply moved by the wonders of God’s grace so clearly evident in these statements. ![]() Therefore by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my Heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and set me free from all the power of the devil. Q: What is your only comfort in life and death?Ī: That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. So glorify God in your body”? Our own Heidelberg Catechism brings out this same truth so eloquently and yet so simply in Lord’s Day 1 where it asks and answers: Everyone who is called by My Name, Whom I have created for my glory.”ĭo we make our plans for this coming year within that context? Do we keep in mind the exhortation of Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:19, that “ you are not your own, for you were bought with a price. In Isaiah 43:6b-7 God states: “Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth. God created us for His glory! And it is only when we acknowledge this and live this, that our life gains perspective, purpose and real joy. Indeed, Scripture is crystal clear about the purpose of our life. Take Philippians 4:4 for example: “ Rejoice in the Lord always. Throughout Scripture there are many passages that encourage and even exhort us to rejoice. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. The Westminster Shorter Catechism captures this thought very succinctly when it commences with the following question and answer:Ī. Let there be absolutely no doubt in our minds that God has placed us on earth to enjoy His blessings, His love and care over our lives. The Holy Spirit even gave this advice in Ecclesiastes 11:9 -Īnd let your heart cheer you in the day of your youth ![]() I certainly believe it is good to make plans for activities and events that we may look forward to and enjoy in the coming year. In a student counselling course I attended some years ago the emphasis was on the counsellor encouraging and challenging high school students to dare to dream, to explore options and develop one’s talents and opportunities to the utmost. But for most of us the end of the holidays and the return to work routine very quickly becomes the order of the day and our resolutions are pushed onto the backburner whilst our plans are, albeit temporarily, buried under the pressures and demands of daily work. Young engaged couples may be eagerly planning for their wedding day. For those of us who are retired we may be planning for an overseas trip visiting family and friends. Or we might possibly make a resolution to become serious about losing weight by exercising more and eating more healthily. We may resolve to get our shed cleaned up and properly organized with all tools and fasteners stored in specific, allocated places. At the beginning of a new year many of us make resolutions and plans for what we are hoping to achieve this year. ![]()
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