Purpose is the reason we exist as predetermined by our creator. In the bible, we see examples of people who understood their purpose and the declarative statements spoken concerning them. They had basic roles to play in the course of their lifetime as designed for them by God. We must all not necessarily be pastors and preachers, but whatever form our purpose takes, it is important to understand it and fulfill it. Purpose cannot be discovered without God who fashioned us and if we must live purposefully, there is a dire need to live for God and not independent of God. As we walk with him faithfully, we draw inspiration from his presence and understand our unique identity distinctly. “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand”. Isaiah 64:8-ESV.
Five characters of the bible under mentioned typifies purpose and how they lived their lives fulfilling their purposes.
MOSES: A faithful servant of God whose parents observed at birth as a proper child, he played his part not in only in leading the children of Israel out of bondage, but also in foretelling the coming of Jesus.
“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment” Heb 11:23.-KJV
“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him” Deu 18:15 – NIV
“For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you”. Acts 3:22
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself”. Luke 24:27
JEREMIAH: It was clearly stated of him that he was ordained to be a Prophet.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jer 1:5 -NIV.
“But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you”. Jer 3:7-NIV.
“See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant." Jer 3:10-NIV.
JOHN: He revealed the messiah to Israel and he understood his purpose as seen in his speech as the one to bear witness to the light.
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God” Isaiah 40:3-NKJV.
“John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.” John 1:23-NIV
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light” John 1:6-8-ESV.
“You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him” John 3:28-NIV.
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God." John 1:29-34-NIV.
JESUS: Though he was the King of Kings, he became man to redeemn mankind. He understood his purpose and did not let them make a king (John 6:15), for that was not the reason he was born.
“Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”John 18:37-ESV.
PAUL: A chosen vessel to minister to the Gentiles
“But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel” Acts 9:15-NIV.
“But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man” Gal 1:15-16-NIV.
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