CWV-101 Topic 7 Overview

Living With Purpose (Who/What Is at the Center?)

Introduction

This last topic will take wisdom to the maximum point by looking at two critical topics: purposeful living and ethical living. Here you will come to grips with the two big questions: “Why am I living?” (for what purpose), and “How am I living?” (with what values).

Purposeful Living

In Topic 2, we looked at creational purpose. Humanity in general is designed to live in harmonious marriage (Gen. 2:24), to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28), to take dominion over the earth and care for it (Gen 1:28, 2:15), and to live in relationship with God. Importantly, individual people can live a rewarding and fulfilling life as single or without having children (1 Cor. 7). Creational purpose is part of all humans and is tied to human flourishing. Yet, there is a big problem: Humanity cannot completely obey. This sin and rebellion leads to pain in each of our creational purposes. God sent his only son to live a sinless life and die on the cross to take our sin. By repenting and receiving Christ, we are forgiven and transformation begins. This restores our soul and points us to a restored Eden (see Rev. 22:1–5), but also begins the transformation focused on purpose. We are re-energized toward living in healthy relationships, work, and with God—our Creational Purpose. Importantly, we are also given a missional purpose—a calling to make a specific difference in the world.

God indeed has a purpose for his people. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016). Note that the main thrust of the sentence, “all things work together for good,” is sandwiched between the two qualifiers “for those who love God” and “for those who are called according to his purpose.” The two qualifiers tell us that those who love God are those who are called according to his purpose.

Jesus himself also made it clear that the two greatest commandments are to “love God and love your neighbor” (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Matt. 22:37–40). Learning to love is a large part of the purpose in life, and as one learns to love God, loving neighbor comes a whole lot easier. And this lifelong purpose of learning to love God and people points to an even deeper purpose—glorifying God.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism was written in 1647 and uses older English. Yet, the first question of the Catechism directly asks what human purpose is in the Christian worldview and the Catechism replies, “Man’s primary purpose is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever” (Westminster Assembly, Kelly, Rollinson, & Marsh, 1986). Glorifying God involves living to please God, giving thanks, openly acknowledging him, and letting

others know the “reason for the hope that is in you” (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, 1 Pet. 3:15).

Along with loving God and glorifying God is the great discovery of enjoying him. Psalm 37:4 states, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016). One may be unhappy on the outside during bad circumstances and difficult situations, but on the inside be experiencing peace and joy, delight in the Lord, and fellowship with God. When our delight is the Lord, the desire of our heart is a deepening relationship with him, to do his will, and to engage in his mission.

Purposeful living also leads to missional purpose. We are each called to make a positive difference in the world that aligns with God’s purposes. That can happen outside of our career or inside our vocation. The word ‘vocation’ has the Latin root, voca, or calling. Our vocation can be a means to follow God’s calling to make a difference, and this can be done in a variety of ways. Romans 12:6 says, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them” (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016). The Christian believes that we each have a unique calling connected to our individual gifts given by God and for the purposes of God. Engineers, nurses, teachers, programmers, business people, and more have significant opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of others for God’s glory.

Romans 8:29 says our lifetime endeavor is to be conformed to the image of Christ. For the Christian, the final goal is “the upward call of God” (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Phil. 3:14) toward which they press on through life, knowing that one day Christ will return and “we shall be like him” (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, 1 John 3:2). This final state of glorification is promised for all who are now in heaven and for all who will follow until Jesus returns. 1 Corinthians 15:42–57 and Revelation 21 together state that Christians will rise to an imperishable, resurrected state, dwell with God forever, and he himself will wipe away all tears. “Death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Rev. 21:4).

Ethical Living

Purposeful living leads to ethical living, and the Bible has a lot to say about this, not only in the moral law of the Ten Commandments, but in the lessons learned through the historical biblical books, the writings of the Wisdom literature, the exhortations of the prophets, the writings of the apostles, and the words of Jesus. Perhaps the most powerful statement Jesus said concerning right living is John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016)

The Old Testament speaks much about wisdom and integrity. The following from Proverbs 2:1–10 targets such wisdom directly:

1 My son, if you receive my words

and treasure up my commandments with you,

2 making your ear attentive to wisdom

and inclining your heart to understanding;

3 yes, if you call out for insight

and raise your voice for understanding,

4 if you seek it like silver

and search for it as for hidden treasures,

5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

8 guarding the paths of justice

and watching over the way of his saints.

9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice

and equity, every good path;

10 for wisdom will come into your heart,

and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001/2016)

Conclusion

Purposeful living is tied to our creational purpose, our missional purpose, and to ethical living. Humanity was designed by God to live in community, to live in healthy families, and to live in a healthy relationship with God. We are each called by God to make a positive difference in the world.

If you have never read the Bible all the way through, please accept this challenge to do so. You will find much food for your soul and it will provide a direct line for God to speak to you about the deeper things of life. That, together with prayer, worship, and Christian fellowship, will keep you in a right relationship with God.

References

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/#copy

(Original work published 2001)

Westminster Assembly, Kelly, D. F., Rollinson, P. B., & Marsh, F. T. (1986). The Westminster shorter catechism in modern English. Presbyterian and Reformed Pub. Co.

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