GODLY PURPOSES AND PRIORITIES

If our purposes and priorities are right, then we preserve not only our lives but our very existence. God has created us for a purpose. When we establish our paths to godly pursuits and purposes, then we attain success because it is done through God’s way.

Today, success is not defined well. True success is doing God's will. How do we fare? How does God see us? Do we bring a smile on God’s face? Success is guaranteed if we bring pleasure to God. Failure to process right priorities causes us to waste our time, energy, and eventually, our lives. As men and women of the Lord, these are our purposes in life:

1. To follow and fulfill the Great Commission

Sometimes our desire is focused more on leading people to higher visions or to the fullness of what God has for them. Do we have someone to bring to full maturity? Do we want to bring someone else’s sheaves? Mark 16:15-16 says, “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Before the vision of upward call of God, there is what we call the Great Commission. It is time to “go.” Sometimes we can pause for another cause but we can always choose to go and talk to our neighbors, officemates, and the people around us.

If we love the Lord and ask Him to use us, then we need to obey the Great Commission. The people around us should know that we are Christians and that we follow Christ. 

God is the great peacemaker. Being neutral is not of the Lord. God says either you are hot or cold. The Lord does not like lukewarm Christians. We need to bring the light of Christ to others. To tell them that God has a wonderful plan for them. Let’s go out and ask the Lord of the Harvest to guide us. He will add to us but our participation is to “go.” Nothing happens until we “go.”

In Acts 5:20, it says, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” May we be as Peter to say, I'd rather obey God than men. We must love what He loves. Whatever He does, we must do. Jesus said it and He did what He said, so we must do as He did. He preached, He taught, He did wonders. Let us cry out to the Lord because people will appreciate signs and wonders in these last days.

2. To be a visionary

A visionary makes opportunities count. We must walk circumspectly. We want to be men and women who have an ongoing vision who know where they are headed to and take hold of the vision of bringing others along with them. One who does not have a vision sees only obstacles. We need to seize the moment for the Lord and commit our lives wholeheartedly for the purposes of God.

The worst enemy of best is good. We are created for the glory of God and not only for the good. Sometimes the Lord will call us to be above normal or be one who stands out and is above normal. We want to be seen radiating His brightness and His glory. Light begets light. In the Spirit, we want to be those who will stand out radiating His brightness and glory. God wants us to draw nearer to Him so He can impart His light to us. How do we become men of vision? We inquire of the Lord. As we inquire of the Lord, he reveals to us His plans and directions. He reveals to us His secrets and plans as we get to know Him intimately.

3. To create a balance in our lives in the natural and spiritual

There is a time for everything. We can be focused on only evangelism or on also bringing others to maturity. There is a time to be a teacher of children and a time to be a teacher of adults. Sometimes there is a season for teaching, a time to be hidden, and a time to be shot forth to do ministry. There is a time to focus on gifts, a time to focus on fruits, character or ministry. There is a time to be hidden and quiet. There is a time to be evangelistic or to do ministry or to draw near to God. We need to take note not to negate one to another. We need to be able to live a balanced Christian life.

4. To welcome criticism with grace

Sometimes we are gracious to welcoming only constructive criticism but when it comes to negative criticism, unsolicited advice, or horrible remarks, we can be very repellent. Sometimes, we overreact to unnecessary criticisms. Oftentimes, we get to be critical of others. The Lord is reminding us to be men and women who are living in grace with graciousness. We need to have a gracious spirit. The Lord wants to impart unto us a greater measure of humility, grace, and meekness. Only God can give these characteristics to us.

The world wants us to retaliate and be critical when someone gives a negative comment about us. Jesus on the other hand, remained as a Lamb and He did not speak at all. He welcomed negativity with such grace. We want to be like Christ. When accused, how do we respond? When mocked or persecuted, how do we respond? By the mercy of God, may we respond with grace.

Dr. Bailey said, “It is important to do what is right rather than to be right.” Sometimes it is more Christian to do what is right. Sometimes we can be right but when in the process of telling others that we are right, we can be in the wrong. Like Nehemiah, we should say, “I would rather do the work of the Lord rather than hear the complaints of the people. I would rather build the walls.”

5. To count the cost and pay the price

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Let us not be those who are satisfied with the status quo. We can do more as we abide in Christ. We must not stop at counting the cost alone but also, we need to pay the price. David said in 1 Samuel 24:24, “I will not offer to God anything that would cost me nothing.” He paid a great price. What is God’s purpose? What is His priority for us? Do we want the full inheritance? Then we need to pay the price.

Let us serve the Lord with excellence. The Lord can lead us to complete victory, to become men and women of character, knowing our priorities, and doing excellently. Rise above mediocrity. The Lord hates a mediocre Christian. We are called to stand out and be excellent. The Lord wants to impart the Spirit of excellence to serve Him with fear and trembling. Do things heartily because God is our Master.


Based on the message of Pastora Rossanna Relucio on February 12, 2017