A NEW PURPOSE IN LIFE

Paul found a new life when He believed that Jesus was both Lord and Savior. He learned that the righteousness of Christ Jesus was the only thing that could make him righteous before God. It was not through the righteousness that he gained through following and defending the law. For a long time, he thought that he was acceptable to God because of all his achievements, but he realized that all of those things were rubbish compared to the righteousness of Christ that he received by believing in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. As a result, he said these words in Philippians 3:10-11, "I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!" Paul's purpose in life changed from protecting the law for his own righteousness to knowing Christ Jesus and experiencing the power of God that made him righteous. He was willing to suffer with Christ, sharing in His death, so that he would be resurrected to life in Christ Jesus when his life was over on this earth. 

As believers, we need to have the same purpose as Paul. We need to make our main goal to know Christ Jesus and experience the power of God in us in every area of our lives. We can know our Lord Jesus and experience the power of God in us while we work at our jobs or study at school. Wherever we may be or whatever we do, we must make our goal to know Christ Jesus through studying the Word of God and praying, and to experience the power of God by living out what we are learning about our Lord Jesus and His ways. For example, living out what Paul mentioned in Philippians 2:3-4, "Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."

We are a new person the moment we genuinely believe in the Lord Jesus. Our purpose in life has change. We are now living in knowing God through our Bible and prayer, and experiencing His power by living according to His ways. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) How can I be righteous before God? What should be my purpose in life, the moment I genuinely believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior? What are the ways I can know God and experience His power in my life?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for making me righteous through the righteousness of my Lord Jesus. Please help me to continue to know you through my Bible and prayer, and experience you by living out what you are teaching me. Help me to walk in humility, and not only think about myself. Please help me to show kindness and always be forgiving. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.