What is Your Purpose in Life?
One senior ‘head-hunter’ described how he interviews prospective executives on behalf of large businesses. At these interviews he first tries to create a very relaxed atmosphere. He offers the executive a drink, takes off his coat, undoes his tie, puts his feet up and discusses sport, family issues or anything else till the atmosphere is very relaxed. Then he leans forwards, looks the executive straight in the face and asks,
“What is your purpose in life?”
The head-hunter was astonished how many fell apart at that question. However at one interview, when the conversation was relaxed he again asked his key question,
“What is your purpose in life?”
However this time there was no delay in the response. The executive immediately replied, looking straight back into the head-hunters eyes,
“To go to heaven and take as many people with me as possible.”
The head-hunter was speechless. Here was someone who had thought deeply about the purpose of his life. He had come to the same conclusion as the apostle Paul.
Most of the letters in the New Testament deal primarily with one or more of the particular problems that were upsetting the churches. The main thrust of the letter to the Philippian church however is to encourage the church to press on in becoming more Christ-like. This letter only has a small section dealing with the problem of Judaisers who were insisting that any Gentiles who became Christians should also become Jews. These people saw the Christian church as a subdivision of the Jewish faith whereas Jesus and his apostles saw the Christian faith as something new, relevant and vital for all people, whatever their backgrounds. The main aim of the letter is to build up the church members into becoming more like Jesus.
Partnership
This letter is so encouraging. Paul writes,
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now . . .” Philippians 1:3-4
If their ‘partnership in the gospel’ thrills the apostle it will also thrill the Lord Jesus. Paul is now in prison because of his gospel work. His activities are markedly curtailed but he is jubilant that the gospel work is continuing through other people. The choice for Paul is simple -
“ . . . for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.” 1:7
Either Paul is out promoting the gospel or he is incarcerated! Paul continues by reminding the Philippians that there are two priorities for Christians. The first is that they may grow in their understanding of the gospel and live accordingly.
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.” 1:9-10
The second priority is the spread of the gospel. Paul even uses his imprisonment to tell his guards how they can be saved by trusting in Jesus.
“. . . what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for the Christ.” 1:12-13
When a Christian leader is unfairly imprisoned it can have one of two effects. Other Christians can either be cowed into silence or they can continue the work with more determination. It is the latter that happened in Rome where Paul was imprisoned.
“Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” 1:14
This sentence is striking. Most of the Christians had become active, not just a minority. This activity required courage as there were risks. And yet their concern was still to tell others what God had revealed in his word. This proclamation was clearly a Christian priority. The next paragraph emphasises that to “preach Christ” is what the church should be about. Motives may be dubious, some may “preach Christ” to outdo others or even to make life more difficult for the imprisoned apostle.
“But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” 1:18
Today many Christians are wary of opening their mouths about gospel issues because they are afraid. They are afraid of being misunderstood, afraid of causing offence or afraid of causing trouble for themselves. Surely this attitude falls short of our calling. Paul’s joy was to share the gospel of the Lord Jesus with as many as would listen, whatever the risk. Even the risk of death should not prevent us from sharing the good news. Paul writes,
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” 1:20-21
This passionate concern to share the gospel with others is part of the normal Christian life. We do not become Christians and then decide whether to tell others the good news, no, we were chosen by God to be Christians so that we will live godly lives and share the gospel. We may do this in different ways, some will simply be inviters and help with coffee or catering, others will be teachers and yet others preachers. It is not the means that matters but our motives. The simple test of our motives is to ask, are we praying for opportunities to help others consider the claims of Jesus.
I was once discussing this need for personal workers in the church with a church warden when he replied,
“I do not want to force my opinions down other people’s throats!”
Quite right! Forcing our opinions will not help anyone. However to encourage others to consider the claims of Jesus and look into what he taught is the kindest thing we can do.
Penn and Teller are a famous comic-illusionist act. Penn Jilette is an outspoken atheist. One day a quiet spoken Christian spoke to him about Jesus and salvation. Penn found the man to be impressively intriguing and discussed the question as to whether people should talk about such matters.
“I’ve always said, you know, that I don’t respect people who do not proselytise. I don’t respect them at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell, or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think that, well, it’s not really worth telling them because it would make it socially awkward . . . How much do you have to hate someone to not proselytise? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them? I mean, if I believed, beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe it, and the truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that . . .”
Such clarity from an atheist! Paul similarly understood this far better than most of us today who say we are believers. Paul’s longing was that the Philippian Christians should determine to live with the two emphases of godliness and evangelism. He repeats them as if to make the point clearer.
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. . . . Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.” 1:27-28
What a wonderful picture. A united church standing together as a well knitted team, boldly proclaiming to those around them that Jesus is relevant and that they need the salvation he brings. In a team sport such as rugby, success depends on every player working hard together with the others in the team – a coherent pack of forwards is hard to oppose. Should such cohesion not be the mark of each local church? This paragraph continues to say that such a coherent evangelistic drive is a ‘sign’ to outsiders that the Christian faith is genuine, that judgement is approaching and that they are still not saved.
Yes, but some may argue, isn’t such a lifestyle very risky. We will run the real risk of offending others and paying a high price, social exclusion being one of these. Paul understands this concern so he continues,
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear I still have.” 1:29-30
We are no different to those early Christians. Our fears are the same as theirs. Yet this is what Christ has called us for. Paul wants all Christians to imitate his behaviour and to be like-minded with him. He was passionate about sharing the gospel – he was single-minded in his devotion to and service of the Lord Jesus. It is Jesus who should be our model.
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5
Later in this letter Paul writes,
“Join with others in following my example, brothers and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.” Philippians 3:17
What a reminder this is to Christian leaders. We also need to be able to say like Paul, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). It is important to be ‘picture book people’ where the picture we present matches the words we say.
The Lord Jesus gave up the glory he had in His Father’s presence to enter this world, so that we may be saved. Therefore shouldn’t we demonstrate something of this love to others so that they may have the opportunity of being saved by coming to Christ.
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” 2:1-2
Likeminded to whom? Likeminded to the most apathetic members of the church? Of course not, Paul longs for us all to become likeminded with Jesus.
Christian only in theory
However, the armchair Christian may still complain,
“But - it is not in my interest to behave in this way – to be such a passionate Christian.”
Such self interest or self centredness is the key problem and the choice we all have to make. Who are we to live for now we are Christians?
“Each of you should look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” 2:4
In a survey published by the Office for National Statistics in January 2011, 72 per cent of adults in England and Wales called themselves Christians. However only 32 per cent said that they actively practised their religion and only a minority say that their beliefs influence their everyday life. Only 4 percent claimed to be Muslims but 80 percent of these said that they actively practised their faith.
A young lady attended my out-patient clinic wearing a large golden cross around her neck. I asked her if this indicated that she was a Christian. She replied,
“Yes, but not the practising sort.”
Surely if a person’s faith is only theoretical, it is not a saving faith at all. No,
“Your attitude should be the same as that of the Lord Jesus: ‘Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!’”
“But that was Jesus”, some may argue, “perhaps it was easier for him because he knew what lay ahead”. Yes, but so do we. It is this knowledge of the future that should motivate all of us to live actively for Jesus. Jesus taught us that there is a reward in heaven for those who are faithful.
‘Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ 2:9-11
In view of the status of Jesus, it must be a Christian’s longing that everyone we know will kneel humbly before God, recognising his right to rule over all of us. Jesus and his apostles are very clear, without submission to Jesus there is no salvation, there can be no heaven, because he alone is able to take the responsibility for our sin from us. Therefore he wants every person to openly talk about the fact that Jesus is their Lord – such a confession is the mark of a Christian. If that is the goal, shouldn’t we, his followers, begin now and publicly “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”?
How we live at home is important as so often it is there that our guard is down and selfishness easily appears. We must show the gospel is our priority in our relationships both with family and visitors. Acknowledging God’s Grace to us before meals is a form of set-piece prayer that Jesus used. Over meals let us regularly talk about praying for and helping others, and so convey the difference being a Christian family makes.
John Wesley, who worked so hard to bring the so-called Christian Britain and its colonies back to Christ, recognised in himself a tendency to go off the spiritual boil. He often used to pray,
“Lord, cure me of my intermittent piety and make me thoroughly Christian.”
Fear of man
Many of us are afraid of the possible consequences of living such a life of obedience to the Lord Jesus. Perhaps it would be less difficult for us if we were surrounded by strong leaders such as the apostles. Paul answers this query by reminding us all that to serve the Lord fearfully is much better than not serving. He reminds us that there is another motivator besides inspiring contemporary leaders. Christian friends should be such an inspiration but ultimately it is the presence of the Holy Spirit in every believer who will keep us going, whatever our fears.
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-14
C.T.Studd was an England cricketer, who gave up his status and family riches to take the gospel first to China and then to Africa. He made some very difficult decisions but concluded,
“How could I spend the best years of my life living for the honours of this world, when thousands of souls are perishing every day?”
The Shining Christian
This section of the letter finishes with a wonderful paragraph summarising the Christian life. How we speak with others and other aspects of our behaviour must all demonstrate that we are now a godly people living in a fallen world.
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation . . .” Philippians 2:14-15
Christians may always be in a minority but they will stand out in the dark world. This distinctiveness will not just be in our characters – it will also be seen by our eagerness to share the message of salvation with others.
“. . . in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” Philippians 2:15-16
The suffering that will result because Christians behave differently from others in society bears no comparison to the benefits of belonging to God. Eternity is coming so it is worth investing our lives for that promised future.
BVP
January 2011
