Saved For A Purpose

There is a purpose behind what Jesus does for you. Think about the stuff you save. We've discussed things you save or hold on to that are dysfunctional. But there are things you save that have a healthy purpose. You save leftovers so that you can stretch a meal into two or maybe three. You save money so you can get an education or retire. You save time, gas, clothes, all for a healthy purpose. And Jesus saves you for a healthy purpose, too. Usually when we think about Jesus saving us, we consider that He rescues us, He saves us from hell. That's obviously true, but the Bible also teaches us that we are saved for a purpose.

In Ephesians 2 Paul provides a couple of reasons why Jesus saved you.

You are saved so that:

1. God can point to you as an example of what His Son Jesus can do.

If you're a parent, you can relate to this. Every parent brags on their kid. Grandparents are worse. You know what I'm talking about. Well God is a Father and His Son just happened to do something pretty spectacular. He didn't score the winning goal, or play the perfect solo, or perform the lead character in the school play, No, God's Son defeated death. Yeah. God's kid took on Satan on his home turf in hell and just beat the snot out of him. It wasn't even close. Now God can point to you as the proof that His Son Jesus is the power over life and death; you are a living example of this. You show not only to other people but to all creation, powers and supernatural beings that we can't see, that Jesus has power over death. Your salvation is God's bragging rights on His Son.

2. You can do the good things God has planned for you.

You don't have to be a theological scholar to figure out what God expects of those who follow Jesus. He made it really clear. Take care of those who are in need in Jesus Name because you love God and you love people. The Church of Jesus is the greatest benevolent society on earth. Our single greatest purpose is to show the world who Jesus is and we do this by serving people in need in Jesus Name. Sometime when you have a moment I would recommend you read through Romans 12. As you read this chapter take note of what Paul teaches about what worship really is. I think you'll find it interesting that nothing he says about worship takes place in a church building. So, what we've been taught by Paul in Ephesians is that you are saved for the purpose of God's bragging rights and to do the good things He wants you to do.

I hope you know Jesus and that you have accepted His offer to save you. Are you someone God can point to and brag about what Jesus did for you? Are you doing the good things that God has saved you for? Are you living for God's purpose?