Up to this point, Purpose Weekly has focused on individual purpose. But what about corporate purpose? Doesn’t God have a purpose for mankind in general or for the church as a whole? Isn’t focusing on individual purpose a little self-serving? Aren’t we pushing individualism at the expense of the Body of Christ?
There’s a big difference between individual purpose and individualism. Individualism stresses independence and individual rights over that of society as a whole. What’s good for me is more important than what’s good for the group. My rights as an individual are never to be subsumed into the rights of the group.
Individualism flies in the face of the idea that, in Christ, we are one Body, one Bride. The Bible says that, “… in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12: 5).
If we are all one in Christ, shouldn’t we be thinking a little more corporately when it comes to God’s purpose? If we’re all in this together why focus so much on individual purpose? Isn’t the Body as a whole, more important than each of us individually?
We all fall under the same grace; we are all subject to the same commandments. Doesn’t God’s purpose extend to all as well? Isn’t His purpose for all of us summed up in the words of the Westminster Catechism? “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”
So what makes the idea of a unique individual purpose so special? All that’s required of any of us is to accept Christ as Savior, avoid sin and ask forgiveness when we’ve stumbled; right? Isn’t living the normal Christian life, going to church, putting money in the plate, raising the kids in a good home, getting along with my spouse, enough? If I try to be a good Christian aren’t I really fulfilling the purpose God has given me, has given all men, in this life?
*****
Jesus met a rich young man in his travels; the story is recorded in Matthew chapter 19, Mark chapter 10 and Luke chapter 18. From the conversation you could infer that the young man was not just wealthy but a pretty good guy as well. From all appearances he was doing everything right.
If we put him in a time machine and zapped him into the 21st century, he would fit quite nicely into any upscale community right here in the States. He would have a successful business or manage an impressive investment portfolio. He would have a wife, two kids and be an upstanding, not to mention financially important, member of his church. What’s more, he’d be a great guy. He would always be helping with projects at the church and in the community. His record of public integrity would be spotless. He would be admired by everyone in the community. If there was a Successful Christian club, this guy would be the poster child.
When this young man approached Jesus he was already living a good, upright, synagogue-going life, but he wanted more. Being good wasn’t good enough; he wanted to be perfect. With the right attitude and an open heart he asked, “What good thing must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus saw through the man’s question to his need: “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only One who is good.” Then Jesus gave the man an answer he could understand: “If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
Now the young man had something he could hold onto. “Which ones?” he wanted to know.
“‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“All these I have kept,” the young man replied. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus cut to the bone. “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
This guy had life nailed in every way but one. The man who had everything couldn’t give it up for the one thing. Jesus was asking too much. He followed all the rules but he couldn’t follow the ruler. The story ends with one of the saddest statements I know of in the Bible. It breaks my heart because it happens around us every day. “When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”
*****
The Bible is full of commands regarding how we should behave. They are universal in scope and authority. They apply to everybody. Jesus boiled them down into two: “… Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind …” and “… Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22: 37, 39).
We are all under the same instructions regarding how to behave, but each of us has unique instructions regarding how to serve; what, specifically, we should be doing with our lives. This individual purpose speaks to our mission, not to our behavior. It is our unique contribution toward God’s purpose. Don’t ever mix up how He wants you to behave with what He wants you to do.
Paul explained the difference between the two:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
(Romans 12: 1-8)
Paul starts off addressing the group as a whole. His instructions are behavioral and meant for everyone to follow: “offer your bodies as living sacrifices,” “do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Why does Paul want the group, all of them, to behave this way?
So they can, “test and approve what God’s will is.” Concerning their behavior as a group, they don’t need to “test and approve what God’s will is.” They already know. Paul just told them how to behave; “offer your bodies as living sacrifices.” The Law and the Prophets told them how to behave. Jesus, when He walked among them told them how to behave. The apostles wrote them letters filled with instructions about how to behave. They knew how they should behave.
So why was Paul telling them to, “test and approve what God’s will is”? Paul was making a transition from corporate behavior to individual purpose. You can see the transition in the next sentence. “I say to every one of you.” He’s speaking to them as individuals regarding their individual roles and purpose in the group. He’s saying that each member has been given a specific measure of faith and grace and each member has a different gift. Each individual in the group has his or her unique purpose. Each acts individually, but like the members of an orchestra; each plays his or her instrument in concert with the whole.
If we look closely, individual purpose is obvious in group actions. First Baptist Church of Centerville decides, as a group, to build a homeless shelter. This is a group mission, a group purpose. No individual in the group possesses the money and the skills to accomplish this purpose individually. Individual purpose here has been subjugated to the group purpose, right?
Not right. Individual purpose is all over this project. George is a lousy carpenter and he doesn’t know enough about electricity to change a light bulb; but he knows finances. George is the wealthiest guy in the church; everybody knows it but they don’t say much about it. George especially doesn’t make a deal of it; he figures God put him in this position to serve Him. As far as George is concerned it’s God’s money, he just writes the checks. George is tickled to use what he has to be a part of this project.
Bob’s not a rich man; he struggles to make his house payment and keep the lights on each month. His truck odometer is getting ready to roll over 200,000 miles, but it stays running, with a little help. Bob’s got a gift though; he can see a building before it’s built; every beam, every pipe every wire. It just comes natural to him. He’s excited about putting his talent to work on something that will mean more than a paycheck. He can’t afford to take time off work; it’ll have to be on nights and weekends, but that’s okay, he doesn’t mind.
Jan’s not rich and she doesn’t have any construction skills. Her schedule doesn’t allow for a lot of time working on projects away from home. Jan has six kids. Her husband Phil is a long haul trucker. He’s gone a lot, but his paycheck keeps a roof over their heads and the family fed. And if there’s one thing Jan can do it’s feed a family. You can’t survive six kids if you can’t cook and Jan, thank God, can cook. When Jan cooks it’s like she’s cooking for an army. With three of the boys in high school now, the family eats like an army, so it works out. Jan was surprised when she was asked to consider planning the kitchen and menus for the shelter. Her kids were so excited over the project that they volunteered as part time kitchen staff … at home and at the shelter.
The church took on this project; it was a group mission, a group purpose. But any group action is really just a concert of individual players. George, Bob and Jan each have their own gifts and their unique God given purposes. Neither has the gifting or the calling of the other. Each plays his or her own instrument, and the orchestra works.
*****
Jesus didn’t hang on the cross for the group. I know that sounds provocative, maybe even heretical, but think about it. Jesus paid the price for your sin and my sin, not our sin. If I go to hell it won’t be for your sins or Nero’s sins or Hitler’s sins; it’ll be for my sins. When Billy Graham gave his heart to Jesus I wasn’t assured of eternal life, he was.
We all suffer from the same fatal disease. The cure, through faith in Christ, is offered to all of us equally; but not as a group. When I stand before God, it’ll be for my life, not yours. When I trusted Jesus and allowed God’s Holy Spirit into my spirit, I opened up a personal relationship with Him that will last for eternity.
I love my wife and children; so much so that I would die for any of them without a thought. I don’t consider giving up my life for theirs a bad trade. But my relationship with God, the thing that makes my eternal life worthwhile and preserving my life on earth not so important, is mine. It doesn’t belong to them. I couldn’t give it to them if I wanted to. It’s not an option.
God considers us individually. My salvation is personal; it’s only good for one and it’s non-transferable. When God created the universe, He had me individually in mind. He had a purpose for me and me alone, to be fulfilled at this moment in time. God is very personal in His relationships.
The incomprehensible thing about God though, is that your salvation and your purpose are personal too. He had you specifically in mind when he created the universe. His will is that all mankind be saved, but we’re saved one at a time. He has a purpose for all mankind because he has a purpose for every individual. God loves the orchestra because God loves the oboe player, and the violinist and the cellist and the drummer ….
