Have you ever asks yourself the question, what is your purpose in life? At some point, I think we all wonder if we are doing what we are supposed to be doing with our lives. Paul was a great example in the Bible of someone who sought his purpose and was totally committed to it.
As a young man, Paul was educated by the best. He had been taught by Gamaliel. A man of the highest esteem in the Jewish culture. Paul was a Jew born in a prominent city, trained by the best and he was zealous toward God. Paul was smart, well trained, a Pharisee of Pharisees in Acts 23:6, and a Roman citizen. His credentials were outstanding. His purpose as an upstanding Jew was to defend God at all costs. He felt that the Jewish faith was being attacked by Christianity, and his purpose was to destroy this religion that called Jesus the Messiah and made Him equal with God. In Acts chapters 7 and 8, Paul is part of the stoning of Stephen and Acts 8:3 tells us he made havoc of the church going from house to house taking followers of Jesus to prison.
Act 22:3 “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.”
Act 8:3 “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.”
While on his way to Damascus to continue to destroy this new religion of Christianity, everything changed. He met Jesus! Paul is a great example of how all of us should react when we accept Jesus as our personal Savior. After meeting Jesus and understanding that all he had heard about this Messiah was true, his zeal did a 180-degree turn. He spent the rest of his life seeking to teach and win others to Jesus. He left his elite life in Jewish culture giving up all the comforts and status that went with it. He suffered much because of his faith in Christ, but it never changed his focus or determination.
Act 22:6-8 “And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell onto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.”
Paul had found his ultimate purpose in life. In Philippians 1:21-26, Paul allows us to see his heart for Christ. If he lives, it is for Christ, if he dies it will be his gain. He will do all he can to further the gospel. He felt such a struggle in his own soul because He longed to be with his Savior, yet it was needful for him to continue to teach and win others to Jesus. He knew his ultimate purpose was to travel, establish churches, and train others to carry on the ministry. He took every opportunity to share Jesus, even using his Roman citizenship when arrested, to gain him a hearing with King Agrippa, where he again would share the gospel.
Philippians 1:21-26 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better: Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith. That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.”
Christians around the world marvel at the commitment of Paul. We admire his love for God, and his determination to follow through on spreading the gospel. He was an example to all Christians, but examples are given to be followed. We should have the same love and determination that Paul showed us. Multitudes are dying every day. They are plugging into Hell because Christians are holding the truth captive. Our ultimate purpose is to know Christ and make Him known to others. If that were not God’s intent, He would take us on to Heaven when we receive Jesus as our personal Savior. Heaven would be a far better place than staying here on earth. One day we will give an account to God for how we have lived our lives. We will answer for living selfishly, and missing opportunities to win others to Him. Our goal should be like Paul’s, “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Our ultimate purpose is to live and proclaim Christ to everyone.
Excellent