The Objective Of A Christian

The Objective Of Being A Christian

Introduction

1. What is the objective of a car salesman? The designation car salesman is a bit of a giveaway! His objective is to sell cars. But what would happen if that objective became cloudy or distorted? What if he supposed that his objective was to convince people that Vauxhall made the best cars? Once a person loses sight of their original objective, they will, more than likely, fail in two respects:

a. The primary objective is neglected or even ignored.

b. It is very unlikely, then, that they will achieve the original objective.

2. As Christians, we too have an objective and, like our car salesman, if we lose sight of it, we fail in the same two respects.

3. The objective of this lesson is to remind us of our objective.

I. Misconceptions Of The Christian’s Objective

A. Different people may have their own idea of the primary objective of a Christian is:

1. Doctrinal unity (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 4:3-6).

2. The conversion of the world (Mark 16:15-16).

[While the Scriptures do emphasize these objectives, neither is the primary objective].

B. The consequences of a misconceived objective:

1. The primary objective is neglected or, at worst, ignored.

2. It is unlikely that the primary objective will be realised.

3. If the primary objective of a Christian is neglected:

a. Any other objectives will be of no value or fail.

b. Working toward these objectives will actually do injury.

II. The Christian’s Primary Objective

A. The primary objective of a Christian is stated by Paul.

1. The passage states our objective:

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Romans 8:28-29)

a. In this passage Paul is speaking of God’s great purpose for those who obey the gospel, a purpose conceived in eternity.

b. The great objective is that we might be “conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29).

2. This transformation, however, does not happen over night, it is a continuous process.

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18)

a. When Moses spoke with the Lord, the glory of the Lord was reflected in his face (2 Corinthians 3:13).

b. But all Christians may now look into the mirror, the gospel, and be changed into the same image, the image of Christ.

3. This passage is, perhaps, a commentary on the first passage. It exhorts us to “be ye transformed,” and reveals how this transformation takes place.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

a. The former part of the verse warns us not to conformed or molded by the principles of people in society.

b. The later part of the verse reveals that the transformation takes place through the renewing of the mind.

4. The following verses, combined, further reveal how this renewing takes place.

"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:16)

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;" (Ephesians 4:23)

"And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:" (Colossians 3:10)

a. The first tells us that we are renewed day by day; it is an ongoing process.

b. The second verse says we are to “be renewed.” The word be indicates that our renewal is conditional on us taking an active part.

c. The third verse reveals that we are renewed through knowledge.

B. No wonder, then, we are exhorted…

"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;" (Colossians 1:10)

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18)

Conclusion

1. The primary objective of a Christian, your primary objective, is to be conformed to the image of Christ.

2. It is essential, then, that we learn all that we can about Jesus; not merely for the sake of knowing but that we might imitate Him.

"Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1)