Part V—Purpose
Note: During my 32 years as a preacher, several times I did a series of sermons on “What I believe about….” Every time I did it, people responded positively. They appreciated the simple statements about what I believed about certain issues. This series of blogs continue that same concern.
The Bible makes our lives clear. Let me point to three passages that speak clearly about our purpose.
- Acts 11:26 tells us that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. The word “Christian” means Christ-like, to be a follower of Christ. It’s the image of a mirror. If we wear that name, we should reflect him. He is not like us, we are like him.
- Colossians 1:18 claims that Christ is the head and we are the body. We know how the head controls the body. If we claim to be the body of Christ, we should be controlled by the head. We don’t issue instructions to him, he tells us what to do.
- 1 Peter 2:21 says we should follow in his steps. It’s the image of footprints. Where Jesus walks, we walk. We follow him, he doesn’t follow us.
Each metaphor speaks to purpose. Our lives should reflect his life. Our lives must be controlled by Christ. Our lives should follow in his steps.
I want to follow Jesus in the twenty first century just as the early Christians followed him in the first century. I want to reflect what they reflected, be controlled by what controlled them, and follow the same footprints in which they walked.
That’s what I believe.