Through my study of the word of God over the years, I have become convinced of something vitally important. God’s overarching, top, most significant, comprehensive purpose for our life is his glory. He created the world for his glory and allows us to enjoy it. He redeemed us for his glory and allows us to be blessed beyond measure because of it. In the light of God’s great love for us, how should we live? We should live a life that glorifies or honors God. This is a comprehensive principle or calling. It includes everything we do. First Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Rudy GrayThe purpose of a Christian is to glorify God. The purpose of the church is to glorify God. The purpose of the South Carolina Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention is to glorify God. There are many ways to achieve that purpose. The Great Commission is a way to glorify God. Cooperating together is a way to glorify God. The command for us is to glorify God – that is our purpose!
I was disappointed when I read of the remarks by Jerry Rankin and Morris Chapman. They are leaders on the way out. Both have announced they will retire soon. They have served Christ and their denomination faithfully for many years. I hope they will finish well.
Both of these Christian men, I believe, missed the major point when they focused on the Great Commission versus cooperation. Both of these are means to glorify God, but the purpose is to glorify God.
The purpose of a Christian marriage is to glorify God. When two people are committed to glorifying God, they will also find a way to care deeply for each other. I have observed God’s grace at work in ways we cannot imagine when people are focused on glorifying his name. In fact, when we stay on task with our purpose and love God, we will discover that what we do for his glory will also be for our highest good.
We live in changing and troubling times both nationally and within our denomination. We do not know what the future holds, but God certainly controls the future as well as the present.
Many people are concerned about the impact of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force and its recommendations to the June SBC. Many people are concerned with the apathy and lack of conversion growth within our churches. Many people are concerned about our own state convention and the changes they see taking place in our Baptist Building.
What can we do in the face of so many challenging situations? First and foremost, we can be sure we are living for the glory of God. From that position, what he leads us to do, we should do. And when we do it, we should do it for his own glory.
In the final analysis, it really is about seeking first Christ’s kingdom and his righteousness. Our purpose is to glorify God. While we have the opportunity, let us fulfill our purpose in whatever we do.