The Singleness of Purpose!
People, especially believers, are under much pressure. They are consumed with how others perceive them. They always measure their success compared to how others are blessed and feel intimidated by their lack. Many resort to living to cope or match up with their environment, which is contrary to what God wants in their lives.
In this message, I will focus on Jesus as our perfect example. Jesus knew who He was, where He came from, and where He was going at the end. He knew why He came to the earth, the purpose of His life, and the triumphant completion and fulfillment of His purpose.
A Royalty at Birth but Did Not Have a Palace!
“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger (feed trough)’” (Luke 2:10-12).
Mary did not even have a place to lay the child but a manger where Jesus was born. Jesus’ surroundings were meager but there is no denying that He was royalty from heaven. His birth announcement went to three significant outsiders:
· The Shepherds: “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid” (Luke 2:8-9).
· The Wise Men: “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men (magi) from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His Star in the East and have come to worship Him’” (Matthew 2:1-2).
· The Prophets: Prophet Simeon – “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:25-26). Prophetess Anna: “Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four (until she was eighty-four) years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day” (Luke 2:36-37).
How does Jesus’ beginning relate to us? We must KNOW that we have been born again, born anew, and adopted into the family of God as His sons and daughters, and we are being led by the Spirit of God: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Romans 8:14-17).
As Jesus knew that He was from above, we must never forget that we do not belong to this world but are in the family of God. No comparison in the world equals the status of a newborn creation in the kingdom of God.
Jesus Knew He Was on His Father’s Plan!
Jesus knew of His Father’s plan to come to this earth and to seek and save that which was lost. He knew from the beginning that He should bear the sins of many to become a ransom for us. Here is Jesus’ answer to Pontius Pilate: “‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause, I was born, and for this cause, I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice’” (John 19:36-38).
Jesus acknowledged that He was King without an earthly status of recognition or a palace. He was settled in His Father’s plan, and nothing could shake Him out of it.
How does this compare to us when the enemy comes to taunt us by comparison with others? We should never forget that we have the status given by Jesus as His followers: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (I Peter 2:9-10).
Jesus Never Forgot His Purpose on the Earth!
“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God” (I John 3:8-9).
Here was Jesus’ purpose-driven life: “For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
I have included the text before and after the statement of the purpose-driven life of Jesus because the purposeful life of Jesus (destroying the works of the devil) sets me free and keeps me free from sin!
Jesus knew His purpose and He stayed on His purpose. Do you know your purpose? Your purpose will conform to God’s will in your life and God’s will become clear as you spend time in the Word of God. Here is the proof: “I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8). Jesus was the Word, He knew the Word, He lived the Word, He fulfilled the Word, and He fulfilled His purpose. God’s Word directs me to know my purpose, stay on it, and gather strength from God to fulfill it.
Here is the secret – When we are purpose-driven, we can hardly compare ourselves with others and envy others for what they have in comparison to what we do not have. Jesus was free because He knew His purpose. So can we, when we live for God’s purpose with God’s strength and power! “Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).
Jesus Made Himself of No Reputation!
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery (something to be held onto) to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation (emptied Himself of privileges), taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5-7).
Jesus was in the form of God!
Jesus was equal to God!
But He chose to empty Himself of privileges!
He made Himself of no reputation!
He took the form of a bondservant – a slave!
The proof of knowing that we are our Father’s child, knowing our Father’s plan and purpose for our life makes us give up our reputation and recognition.
Jesus was known by His Father.
Jesus was complimented by His Father: “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
Jesus was known by His disciples: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!”
That was it!
That was enough for Jesus!
Likewise, if our lives bear witness to the fact that we are children of God, that we hear our Father’s voice, and that we are encouraged by a few saints on the earth, that must settle us to KNOW, BELIEVE, and SETTLE in the track with no reputation needed.
Jesus Finished Gloriously!
Jesus to Pontius Pilate: “For this cause, I was born, and for this cause, I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.”
The finish line is in sight for Jesus, although He will go through suffering and pain on the cross. But it did not matter.
It is the knowledge of God’s Will preserved Jesus!
It is His complete obedience to the end that finished the purpose for which He came to the earth: “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).
Jesus triumphantly finished with His words on the cross, “It is FINISHED!”
The very purpose God has transformed us to become His children is to know His purpose, walk in His will, and gloriously finish the race. Jesus, our example is waiting at the finish line: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
The joy set before us helps us ENDURE suffering and pain. Sadly, the world does not have what we have. Let us cry out to God for those who live a life of envy and opulence to find Christ and inherit the same joy filling us.
There is no comparison with the world!
We are not in competition with the world!
The ruler of this world, Satan, has nothing in us!
We have overcome Him by the blood of the Lamb and by the words of our testimony!
Let us stay the course of faith!
Let us keep the faith!
Let us finish the race!
Jesus finished with a triumphant shout on the cross!
Apostle Paul finished with his triumphant proclamation: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (II Timothy 4:7-8).
Let us do just the same!
Prayer
“Heavenly Father, I love You and I thank You for Your mercies and love in sending Your Beloved Son, Jesus, to offer His precious life for me on the cross. I thank You for the example of Jesus who made Himself of no reputation but stayed knowing who He was and faithful to Your calling upon Him. I dedicate myself to being a servant of the Lord to do just that by Your grace, enabling me to finish my race as Jesus did. I am Yours, and Yours alone, my Lord. In the Most Precious and Wonderful Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen!”
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John Jeyaseelan
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