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Jesus Died So That Our Lives May Have Purpose
April 21, 2014

On the first day of Unleavened Bread, I wrote Jesus Died and Next Came Unleavened Bread explaining how the sacrifice of Jesus lays the foundation for our simple and uncomplicated faith. That foundation is intended to give us incredible purpose in living and what we choose to do as we respond to the calling that has been given to us. In his letter to the Romans, Paul identifies this purpose and how when tied to our calling becomes a source of strength for us.

Romans 8:26-31
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Paul knew that all things work together for good to those who love God and who are called according to his purpose. He added that if God is for us who can be against us? All of these statements come with conditions. We have to love God and be called according to his purpose and all of this works only if God is for us. Looking back at the historical journey of Israel from Egypt crossing the Red Sea on dry land with parted waters is an example of how it works when God is for us. Even the mighty Egyptian army was no match for the Children of Israel when God was for the Children of Israel.

Exodus 14:21-31
And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians. And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

Under normal circumstances the Egyptians would have destroyed the Children of Israel. Because God was with the Children of Israel, it was the Egyptians who were destroyed. As we move forward with our life living as a Christian called according to God's purpose, it is important for us to consider how that purpose might look for us. Each of us is equally important to God and while we all collectively are called to support God's purpose, each of has purpose in our life that supports that greater purpose. Paul explained that in his first letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

While everyone in the church is called according to God's purpose, God's purpose may look slightly different for different people. Everyone remains a part of the church even though their purpose may be slightly different. Nobody is more important than anyone else because everything we do as a Christian is measured in acts of love, called charity in the King James Version.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Many will read the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians without considering what was presented at the end of chapter twelve. The more excellent way mentioned by Paul that exceeds the value of any spiritual office or consideration is love. Love is greater than faith and hope. Love is greater than prophecy. Love endures with extreme patience and never considers oneself to be more important than others. Love is so important to our Christian purpose that Paul shows that even good deeds such as feeding the poor done for reasons other than love, is of no value to us, even though the recipient may be fed by our good deed. Love triumphs over all and the reason is easy to see in a simple verse authored in a letter of John.

1 John 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Being called according to God's purpose means being called to a life of love. We have to accept the love that God has given us and project that love to others. Love is greater and more powerful than anything else we can do in our spiritual life. The trick for each of us is to figure out how we might project that love towards others remembering that spiritual love is based on compassion and not human lust. The more we clearly understand our spiritual purpose the happier we will be in our calling as we live a life of incredible spiritual purpose. The Days of Unleavened Bread are intended to remind us of the need to come out of a life of sin to this life of incredible spiritual purpose.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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