The Reason for Everything (2)

Scripture: Romans 11:33-36

Introduction

During the lockdown we have realised how many are real friends, how many are fake friends, how many have called us often enquiring about our families, health, jobs, and how many were really cared and supported in their difficulties and pains during this pandemic, COVID-19.

On the other hand, there are political parties and individuals, who are busy spending their money to buy their popularity investing in bots. Most of the time, it is not a real person, who gives their likes and comments to their posts but bots.

We are influenced by these tricks and dirty political plans. We create our opinions on a political party or an individual based on how many are following them and what are the images created by the bots.

These identities are fake and bogus.

Sometimes, we give importance to what the other thinks, says, and expresses the opinion about us.

Our identity is decided by the others.

Can the others decide what I am?

No.

Then,

What is my identity?

Knowing oneself is the best identity that we can have in our lives.

We may believe what the other person says, we may believe what the other person thinks, and we may believe the other person’s opinion.

But, it cannot influence us when we know our identity by ourselves quite well.

What we know about our identity is limited and finite.

What we do not know about our identity is unlimited and infinite.

The universe is so vast.

I am a tiny creation.

If we are limited and finite, there is something unlimited and infinite, who controls the universe systematically. ZOur belief and our faith, reveals that God, is the All-powerful, Almighty, who created each one of us and the creation of the world according to His purpose in a particular country, in a particular language, in a particular culture, in a particular ethnic group, in a particular caste, in a particular tradition, and in a particular situation.

God has a purpose in creating each and every thing and each one of us in a particular moment, in a particular time, and in a particular way.

Can we question this belief?

No.

Our experience in the world, shows us the way. We understand that we, as tiny creatures, are instruments in God’s hand.

He brings the best music out of these instruments according to His time.

We act as He wishes and according to His will in our lives, by which we find our identity.

To understand it, we have the text from the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 16: 13-20):

“When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi

he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist,

others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah,

the Son of the living God.”

Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.

For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you,

but my heavenly Father.

And so, I say to you, you are Peter,

and upon this rock I will build my church,

and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;

and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one

that he was the Messiah.”

As I said in the beginning, we all are interested to know what the other thinks about us.

Identity is important.

It gives us meaning.

It is a human nature.

Nothing is wrong.

Psychologists say who you are and what you think by your postures, positions as you stand or sit or speak.

Biologists say who you are by your genes.

We can go on and on what the other thinks with different subjects.

The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the glory of God. It is the reason for everything that exists, including you. God made it all for his glory. Without God’s glory, there would be nothing. It is the essence of his nature, the weight of his importance, the radiance of his splendor, the demonstration of his power, and the atmosphere of his presence. God’s glory is the expression of his goodness and all his other intrinsic, eternal qualities. Everything created by God reflects his glory in some way.

Throughout history, God has revealed his glory to people in different settings. He revealed it first in the Garden of Eden, then to Moses, then in the tabernacle and the temple, then through Jesus, and now through the church. It was portrayed as a consuming fire, a cloud, thunder, smoke, and a brilliant light. In heaven, God’s glory provides all the light needed. The bible says, Psalms 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.” God’s inherent glory is what he possesses because he is God. It is his nature. We cannot add anything to this glory, just as it would be impossible for us to make the sun shine brighter. But we are commanded to recognize his glory, honor his glory, declare his glory, praise his glory, reflect his glory, and live for his glory. Rev. 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

When anything in creation fulfills its purpose, it brings glory to God. God made ants to be ants, and he made you to be you. Now he’s five purposes for your life.

We bring God glory by worshipping him. We bring God glory by loving other believers. We bring God glory by becoming like Christ. We bring God glory by serving others with our gifts. We bring God glory by telling others about him.

God glory by worshipping Him

Worship is our first responsibility to God. God wants our worship to be motivated by love, thanksgiving, and delight, not duty. Worship is far more than praising, singing, and praying to God. Worship is a lifestyle of enjoying God, loving him, and giving ourselves to be used for his purposes. When you use your life for God’s glory, everything you do can become an act of worship. Romans 6:13b “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”

God glory by loving other believers

When you were born again, you became a part of God’s family. Following Christ is not just a matter of believing; it also includes belonging and learning to love the family of God. John wrote, 1 John 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” Paul said, Romans 15:7 “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”

God glory by becoming like Christ

Spiritual maturity is becoming like Jesus in the way we think, fell, and act. The more you develop Christlike character, the more you will bring glory to God. The Bible says, 2 Cor. 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

God gave you a new life and a new nature when you accepted Christ. Now, for the rest of your life on earth, God wants to continue the process of changing your character.

God glory by serving others with our gifts

Each of us was uniquely designed by God with talents, gifts, skills, and abilities. The way you’re “wired” is not an accident. God didn’t give you your abilities for selfish purposes. They were given to benefit others, just as others were given abilities for your benefit.

God glory by telling others about him

God doesn’t want his love and purposes kept a secret. Once we know the truth, he expects us to share it with others. This is a great privilege—introducing others to Jesus, helping them discover their purpose, and preparing them for their eternal destiny.

2 Cor. 4:15 “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.”

Conclusion

Living the rest of your life for the glory of God will require a change in your priorities, your schedule, your relationships, and everything else. It will sometimes mean choosing a difficult path instead of an easy one. Will you live for your own goals, comfort, and pleasure, or will you live the rest of your life for God’s glory, knowing that he has promised eternal rewards? It’s time to settle this issue. Who are you going to live for—yourself or God? Real life begins by committing yourself completely to Jesus Christ. If you are not sure you have done this, all you need to do is receive and believe. First, believe. Believe God loves you and made you for his purposes. Second, receive. Receive Jesus into your life as your Lord and Savior. Receive his forgiveness for your sins. Receive his Spirit, who will give you the power to fulfill your life purposes. John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”