What Does the Bible Say about Purpose?

Some people move forward by what “feels right.” Others consider what is “logical.” But Christ-followers were born for a purpose and are meant to live on purpose. The Bible declares that life is not random, haphazard, or an accident. God, the Creator, has declared purposes for His creation; and for the Christian, meaning and purpose are wrapped up in Jesus.

The Bible begins with God, and that is where man’s purpose begins too. God is the sovereign   planner of the universe, and His good and holy purposes extend from before creation into eternity future. He will accomplish all He has planned to do (Isaiah 46:9-10).

The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks the question, “What is the chief end of man?” In other words, what is man’s purpose? The answer is, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” Some have suggested that if we simply did this, we would fulfill our purpose on earth. Created in His image, people cannot fulfill their true purpose apart from Him.

God revealed two of His purposes for mankind at creation: procreation and the governance of the earth (Genesis 1:28a). Humans are to fill the earth and subdue creation (Psalm 8:4-6; Hebrews 2:6-8), something that is properly fulfilled in knowing and obeying God. But after Adam and Eve sinned, after fellowship with the Creator was broken, God said His plan included the redemption of fallen humanity—a plan that unfolded throughout the rest of Scripture, extending into eternity. Ultimately, God’s purpose is to bring about a new heaven and earth, and dwell with His people forever.

The Bible expresses two kinds of purpose for believers—general and specific. Both are meant to prepare the believer to live forever in God’s presence, but also to encourage spiritual growth and ministry now.

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The world offers numerous ways to find meaning. It defines purpose in terms of power, pleasure, wealth, intellect, and other things King Solomon called “vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). The Bible teaches that life is “meaningless” apart from fearing and obeying God (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). 

Key Old Testament scriptures reveal important truths about God’s purposes. 

No purpose of God can be thwarted (Job 42:2). Believers can humbly ask God to show them His ways and lead them (Psalm 25:1-9). God will fulfill His purposes for His children (Psalm 57:2; 138:8). Every day of a person’s life was laid out before birth (Psalm 139:16). God wants to guide believers along the best pathways, advising and watching over them (Psalm 32:8).

Key New Testament passages also instruct about God’s purposes.

God causes all things to “work together” for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Believers are to do all things for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:30). In fact, God’s chosen people have been “predestined” according to His plan and purpose that they might be “for the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:11-12). God prepared good works for every believer to do (Ephesians 2:10). God will complete His good work in believers, and He works in them to act in accordance with His good purpose (Philippians 1:6; 2:13).

What Is Our Purpose as Believers?

As noted earlier, the Bible teaches there are both general purposes and individual purposes for believers.

In short, general purposes for the believer are to be made alive in Christ, to be transformed and conformed to the image of Christ by God’s grace through faith, and to do the good works God prepared in advance for them to do (Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 8:29; 12:1-2; Titus 2:14; 3:8). General purposes also include such things as seeking to know God and fellowship with Him, learning to obey and serve Him, being good stewards of His creation, bearing spiritual fruit, loving others, sharing the gospel, and making disciples. 

Believers discover their individual purposes as they seek God and study His Word, will, and ways. God designed each person as an individual creation, and His purposes unfold to transform every area of life. Purposes may be given for a specific time, such as with the prophets. Or God may give certain abilities, giftings, or callings for particular events, such as with Joseph’s preparation to preserve people during a famine, or Esther’s purpose in rescuing her people—a calling “for such a time as this.”

In studying the lives of other Bible characters—such as Abraham, Noah, Deborah, Ruth, David, and Mary—we can find unique ways God’s people fulfilled His purposes for nations and the whole world.

There are special callings, such as when Paul said he was set apart for a special purpose (Galatians 1:15-16); but clearly, the Bible teaches individual purposes are enhanced throughout the church through different spiritual gifts that are given by the Holy Spirit to every believer.

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God is eager for His children to know His plans, and there are many ways to unlock His purposes. 

1. Be Sure You Know God

It may sound obvious, but identity in Christ through a personal relationship with Him is the starting point for knowing God’s purpose. God had each person in mind in eternity past, and He has purposes for each of His children “in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:11). For the believer, the Father is an unshakeable center no matter what comes.

2. Pray for Direction

Focusing on self is not a good place to begin to know God’s purpose. When people ask self-centered questions, conclusions may end up as mere speculation. It’s far wiser to begin with God and ask Him for His will and direction (James 1:5; 4:2b). He is generous and does not rebuke His children for asking such questions. After praying, stop talking and listen. Then determine to trust and submit to God and walk in the wisdom He gives (Proverbs 3:5-6; 28:26).

3. Read the Word of God

The most common way God leads today is through His written Word (Matthew 4:4). Being obedient to His known will is a starting point, plus understanding that God leads in ways that align with Scripture, not contrary to it. The Word is not open to speculation, and it will not leave us in the dark. Though God has not chosen to share everything with us at this time, we can discover much of what He wants us to do, and what He tells us to avoid. Stories and examples in Scripture are meant to warn us so we will not be deceived (1 Corinthians 10:11).

4. Surrender and Obey

God wants to keep His children on track. Expecting that He will lead, believers are to yield to His control, trust Him completely, and determine to obey and live for Him. Commitment to discipleship creates godly character, no matter the events of life. Psalm 37:23 says, “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He (God) delights in every detail of their lives.” God looks for humble, surrendered, and obedient followers. Be active, not passive, about His guidance.

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Although many decisions may not seem important, even simple choices can be transformative. Making choices with good judgement—giving attention to God’s mid-course corrections—reward the believer (Proverbs 13:13-18). Choices believers make can open new opportunities or shut them down. All of the previous suggestions mentioned play into making wise choices: knowing God, prayer, seeking Scripture truth, and cultivating a humble heart.

6. Consider Desires and Gifts

God normally leads into areas of service through heart desires—but this can be tricky because the desires of the flesh can deceive (Romans 7:23). Just as God placed a purposeful desire in Moses’ heart (Acts 7:23), God can do this in Christ-followers’ hearts. God can give the desire to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13). Identifying spiritual gifts, natural bents and personality, and abilities can help pinpoint purpose in regard to where and how to serve God. Taking into account God’s unique design can help Christians step courageously into His plans.

7. Get Wise Counsel

God often uses wise friends and counselors to give His people direction (Proverbs 13:20; 19:20). This requires humility—a teachable spirit. Many times, counselors can identify limiting beliefs Christians may have for not moving forward into the will of God.

8. Notice God’s Provision 

It’s been said by many believers, “Where God leads, He provides.” Oftentimes, God provides resources in such a way to clarify direction; and sometimes His plans unfold through unusual circumstances He provides (Acts 16:6-11). Walking uprightly—living with integrity—is one requirement for seeing God provide.

9. Wait in Faith

God may lead by giving a believer a sense of inner peace about a decision—but as John Piper says, “Peace and calm are not the only factors in determining what one ought to do.” If a believer senses a check in his or her spirit, it may be wise to wait in active trust until God brings greater clarity and peace, while moving ahead in areas of obedience and conscience. Sometimes God uses delays to deepen faith, test motives, develop patience and endurance, or better align hearts with His will.

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Because believers are human and not yet in heaven, it is possible to stray from God’s purposes. If straying from His purpose leads into sin, the believer needs to confess sin and repent. Repenting goes beyond remorse or regret. It includes turning away from sin and returning to obedience and faith.

But if straying from God’s purpose does not involve direct sin and is simply a matter of not making the best choice, the believer can ask questions with a submissive heart to seek to get back on track. Helpful questions include: “Lord, what caused me to stray from Your purpose?” “How did I get distracted?” “What can I do today to return to Your best plans for my life?”

It's comforting to know that—although believers may fail miserably in following God closely—straying does not take God by surprise. Revelation 13:8 says God already had a plan for man’s sin from the foundation of the world; and He has plans to work all things, even Christians’ not-the-best choices, for good, all in the process of conforming them to the image of His Son. 

God’s plans for believers will never be thwarted or frustrated—not by His children, and especially not by Satan. Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth wrote in You Can Trust God to Write Your Story: Embracing the Mysteries of Providence, “(God) is working behind the scenes, making arrangements, putting everything in place. And in time, He will be the means of upending our enemy’s objectives and fulfilling God’s holy purpose in our lives.”

Just because life takes twists and turns, that doesn’t mean the believer has stepped out of God’s will. In fact, twists and turns may be unexpected parts of His plans—designs His children might never understand this side of heaven (Isaiah 55:8-9). The Christ-follower can rest securely in his or her position in Christ, knowing the Good Shepherd will continue to lead His sheep in every circumstance of life.

Source
DesiringGod.org, “Should I Ever Take an Action I Don’t ‘Have Peace’ About?”

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