“What Drives Your Life”

Scripture

Philippians 3:4–14 KJV 1900

4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Everyone’s life is driven by something. The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but life without a reason. It is dangerous to be alive and not know why you were given life. One of the most frustrating experiences is to have time but not know why. Until purpose is discovered, existence has no meaning, for purpose is the source of fulfillment. Nothing matters more than knowing God’s purposes for your life, and nothing can compensate for not knowing them—not success, wealth, fame, or pleasure. Your existence is evidence that this generation needs something that your life contains. In essence, you were born for a purpose and with a purpose. Your personal fulfillment is possible only in so far as you complete your destiny.

Most dictionaries define the verb drive as “to guide, to control, or to direct.” Whether you are driving a car, a nail, or a golf ball, you are guiding, controlling, and directing it at that moment. What is the driving force in your life? As you discover who you are, you will learn that your purpose, your identity, your uniqueness and your potential are interdependent. Nothing is truly yours until you understand it—not even yourself.

There are hundreds of circumstances, values, and emotions that can drive your life.

• Many people are driven by guilt.

o They spend their entire lives running from regrets and hiding their shame. Guilt-driven people are manipulated by memories.

o Psalms 32:1 (KJV) “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”

• Many people are driven by resentment and anger.

o They hold on to hurts and never get over them.

o Instead of releasing their pain through forgiveness, they rehearse it over and over in their minds.

o Resentment always hurts you more than it does the person you resent.

o Listen: those who have hurt you in the past cannot continue to hurt you unless you hold on to the pain through resentment. Your past is past! Nothing will change it.

o Job 5:2 (KJV) “For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.”

• Many people are driven by fear.

o Regardless of the cause, fear-driven people often miss great opportunities because they’re afraid to venture out.

o Fear is a self-imposed prison that will keep you from becoming what God intends for you to be.

o 1 John 4:18 (KJV) “8There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

• Many people are driven by materialism.

o Possessions only provide temporary happiness.

o Because things do not change, we eventually become bored with them and then want newer, bigger, better versions.

o It’s also a myth that if I get more, I will be more important.

• Many people are driven by the need for approval.

o They allow the expectations of parent or spouses or children or teachers or friends to control their lives.

o Others are driven by peer pressure, always worried by what others might think.

o I don’t know the keys to success, but one key to failure is to try to please everyone.

Some benefits of living a purpose-drive life.

• Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life.

o When life has meaning, you can bear almost anything; without it, noting is bearable.

o Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning.

o The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose.

• Knowing your purpose simplifies your life.

o Your purpose becomes the standard you use to evaluate which activities are essential and which aren’t.

o Without a clear purpose you have no foundation on which you base decisions, allocate your time, and use your resources.

o Purpose-driven living leads to a simpler lifestyle and a saner schedule. The Bible says

o Proverbs 13:7 (KJV) “There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Which leads to peace of mind: Isaiah 26:3 (KJV) “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

• Knowing your purpose focuses your life.

o You become effective by being selective.

o Without a clear purpose, you will keep changing directions, jobs, relationships, churches, or other externals—hoping each change will settle the confusion or fill the emptiness in your heart. The Bible says

o Ephesians 5:17 (KJV) “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

o There is nothing quite as potent as a focused life, one lived on purpose.

o If you want your life to have impact, focus it! Stop dabbling. Stop trying to do it all.

• Knowing your purpose motivates your life.

o Purpose always produces passion.

o Nothing energizes like a clear purpose.

• Knowing your purpose prepares you for eternity.

o What people fail to realize is that all achievements are eventually surpassed, records are broken, reputations fade, and tributes are forgotten.

o Living to create an earthly legacy is a short-sighted goal. A wiser use of time is to build an eternal legacy.

o You weren’t put on earth to be remembered. You were put here to prepare for eternity.

In Closing

Check out your uniqueness and find out what differentiates you from the billions of people who inhabit this planet. Then pursue your aspiration deliberately and consistently. Be what you are. Capitalize on the natural skills and talents with which you were born, and don’t lose them. When others belittle your special gifts and try to remake you according to their plans and purposes, refuse to yield to their domination. Don’t let anyone prevent you from becoming and doing all that you were born to be and do. Remember, if you don’t deploy yourself, others will soon employ you. Above all else, pursue purpose with a passion and experience the reason for your life.

One day you will stand before God, and he will do an audit of your life, a final exam, before you enter eternity. The Bible says, Romans 14:10b (KJV) “for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Romans 14:12 (KJV) “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

First, “What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ?” The only thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust him?

Second, “What did you do with what I gave you?” –all the gifts, talents, opportunities, energy, relationships, and resources God gave you? Did you spend them on yourself, or did you use them for the purposes God made you for?

Living into our calling in Christ challenges us to realize we are not who we hope to be, but neither are we what we used to be. So we press on, keeping the past in proper perspective, understanding who we will become is in the future.

In fact the image in our text is that of a runner leaning into the tape at the finish line. So it is in that sense we understand maturing in our faith is leaning into and pressing on toward the mark; immaturity, on the other hand is complacency and self-satisfaction.

Paul ends our text by stating, ‘I’m not going back.”

I think Paul is challenging himself and his readers to understand that we really can’t expect to grow and mature as Christians if we grow comfortable with where we are. He is saying, “We can’t relax and take it easy.”

When we enter the kingdom of God, all our achievements won't matter. What God cares about is who we are, do we have faith in Him and are we consciously living into living a Christ-like life