Everything in His Purpose

Romans 11:33 (NIV)

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?" For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

🌱 Introduction

The wisdom of God cannot be measured, His thoughts, the Word says, are not like the thoughts of men, His power and glory are immense. But understanding why God made everything, what for, and why? What is the objective of our existence? These are questions that can be asked daily. It is difficult for human beings to accept what their purpose is according to God, and not according to themselves.

What is the purpose of our lives? Why are we here? In our frantic society, many run from here to there, moving from one urgent task to another. The things that frequently fill life, and the blind rush with which we carry them out, may reveal the fact that our life has no real direction. We might even be going in the wrong direction!

However, everyone sets personal goals; everyone has reasons to live. It may not always be evident in what they say, but it is in the way they live. For some, the purpose of life is to accumulate wealth, acquire knowledge, or seek the respect of their peers. Others live generously for family and friends. Still others live only to have a good time.

1. Knowing God's purpose for us

a. The Bible, the only source of authority, says that God created us for His glory (Isaiah 43:7).

• The primary purpose in God's mind when He created us was to serve Him and glorify His name. That is why the apostle Paul wrote: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).
• From the moment we wake up one morning until the moment we get up the next morning, God wants us to do everything to glorify Him.
• Jesus told his disciples: "Let your light shine before others" (Matthew 5:16). Why? Not so they could be praised, but so others could see their good deeds and glorify their Father in heaven.
• Peter also encouraged his readers to declare the praises of him who called them out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9).

b. Paul affirms it: "For from him and through him and for him are all things" (Romans 11:36).

• "From him are all things" reminds us that God is the source of everything; only by Him do we have life and existence.
• "Through him are all things" reminds us that we prosper only through His blessings; every good thing comes through Him.
• "For him are all things" reveals the main purpose of all creation: to give praise and glory to God.

c. The call to gratitude (Psalm 103).

Man must be grateful because everything belongs to God. Verse 9 onwards exhorts creation and angels to praise God.

2. Only man rebels against that purpose

Of all God's creation, only sinful man rebels against the thought of glorifying the Creator.

• Just think for a moment about our poor attitude towards public worship. We would rush to say we don't hate God, only that we don't always have time for Him (because everyone lives for their own purpose).
• We worry so much about work, family, recreation, and responsibilities, that from God's point of view, our sinful nature shows enmity (Romans 8:7-8).
• Every day God pours blessings on people. He gives us air, water, work, family. And what do we do? We use God's generosity against Him! Blessings become the reason we don't have time for Him.
• Romans 1:25: They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.

3. Is God selfish for saying that everything is for His glory?

Some object to the idea that God created everything for His glory (Proverbs 16:4). They claim it is unworthy or selfish.

• The objection is unreasonable because it judges God by human standards. It is humanistic because it tries to put man in the place of God.
• If the world had not been made for God's glory, it would have to have been made for man's. That would force God to kneel at man's feet!

In Job 38-39, God lists His mighty works. Our works are nothing compared to His. Why would we try to steal that praise for ourselves?

4. Living according to God's purpose

God's purpose for each one is that we glorify Him. Sometimes, in a very specific way.

• Esther's example: Mordecai told her: "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14). God elevated her with a purpose.
• Like Esther, we tend to underestimate our importance. We may see ourselves as a small pebble in the universe.
• However, God has a purpose for everyone. With His help and the talents He has given us, we are capable of contributing to His praise.

5. A matter of priorities

Let's imagine beings with great mental development but stunted bodies, or vice versa, bodybuilders who neglect their minds. But there is another aspect: the spiritual.

An athletic and cultured person who does not know God is a failure in His eyes, for they are spiritually stunted. The world wants us to lock religion in a compartment, isolated from daily life ("secular humanism").

Secular humanism says: "It doesn't matter if God exists, live as if He doesn't". But we know that our relationship with God is a priority.

🏁 Conclusion

Our relationship with God is of extreme importance. Only when a person is at peace with Him can they develop their full potential.

We were born with a definite purpose: to honor God. Your body is for the glory of God, not for vanity. Seeking your purpose shouldn't be a mystery; let's just give God the glory and let Him guide us.