GOD'S GOAL IN OUR LIVES

Philippians 1:9-11 says, "I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God." There are two important things that Paul prayed for the believers in Philippi: they would overflow with love for God and for each other and that they would keep on growing in knowledge and understanding of God through the Word of God so that they may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return and be filled with the fruit of their salvation, which is the righteous character that comes from the work of Jesus Christ in their lives. God saves us from our sins and gives us a new life so that we can live a life that is pleasing to Him.  

The focus of Christianity is not the blessings that we get from God or making our lives comfortable in this world. God's main goal in our lives is to live righteously, and that is what He is working on in our lives every day. God is faithful to provide for our needs and grant us our prayer requests that are aligned with His perfect will so that we can honor and live for Him, and not for ourselves. Many churches only teach and preach on how we become successful in this world, but neglect to teach that we need to live a righteous life that honors and glorifies Him. We need to continue to grow in our love for God and others and live pure and blameless lives until God takes us home to be with Him forever. What matters in the end is how we live for Him on this earth, and not how much we accumulate wealth and live comfortably.

God saved us for so much more than living for ourselves. God saved us to honor and glorify Him in everything that we do so that we can find peace, joy, and contentment in Him.

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Why did God save me from my sin? Who should I live my life for? In all honesty, how do I feel living for Him and not for myself every day? 

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

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, please help me to be overflow with love for you and others and keep on growing in knowledge and understanding of you so that I may live a life that is pure and blameless and filled with righteous character. Please continue to draw me closer to you, for you created and saved me for your glory and honor. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.