As Americans, we have so many blessings, that we can easily get the wrong perspective about the Lord's purpose in our lives. The America of today is filled with "self rights," "animal rights," "gay rights," "minority rights," "student rights," and on and on. Our culture has become so self-focused that, as Christians, it is easy to miss the purpose for which the Lord has made us. We can become self-centered in our Christianity.
Some of the preaching that is heard today often subtly implies that Jesus is there just for what we want. It is true that we can do all things through Christ and that God will supply all our needs through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13, 19), but the primary need that Jesus came to meet is our salvation.
Notice some of the statements Jesus made. Jesus said, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus said He didn't come to destroy the Law or the prophets but to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17). He said that He came not to be ministered, but to minister and give his life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). In Luke 4:43, Jesus said that He came to proclaim the Kingdom of God. In Luke 12:49, Jesus said, "I am come to send fire..." In John 9:39, Jesus said that He came into the world for judgment. John 3:16 tells us that "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Jesus also said that if we would follow Him, then we must deny ourselves and take up our cross (Matthew 16:24). The truth is that the Lord's purpose is to save souls, and He has given the church a part in that. The object is not souls for souls' sake, but souls because we love Jesus and care about what He cares about. Let us get a true vision of the Lord's purpose.
