"For this cause I came" (Why are my here on earth?) - Study 7/9/13
“For this Cause I came” (Why are my here on earth?)
We have all heard the counsel of the motivational gurus, “Set goals and follow it and you will achieve success”. Here is goal setting explained. “Jot down the goals you want to reach. Look at each goal and evaluate it. Make any changes necessary to ensure it meets the criteria for a SMART goals: (S = Specific, M = Measurable, A = Attainable, R = Realistic, T = Timely). Specific - Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen. Specifics help us to focus our efforts and clearly define what we are going to do”. (http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/goal-setting-tutorials/smart-goal-setting).
There is some utility and validity to the above goal setting guideline. However, it starts us of with the wrong premise that we in ourselves know what we want to do and why we want to do it. In other words, it assumes we brought ourselves to this earth and therefore will accomplish whatever we want. “What you want to happen”! That sounds too powerful and one becomes “a god”. It is a bit scarier don’t you think?
Let’s start from the real source – God. Let’s learn from Jesus himself being God knew exactly why He came to earth. Apostle John records the following as Jesus predicts his death, “27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.”…… 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die. John 12:27, 32-33).
It was clear to Jesus why He came to earth from Heaven. He came to die on the cross so that all people’s sins would be forgiven and be reconciled to a Holy God. He came to re-establish a messed up relationship (“draw all peoples to Myself”) so we can rightly relate to Him. The goal, purpose or aim is very clear and not ambiguous.
Do you therefore know why you are here on earth? Do I therefore know why I am here on earth? If Jesus had one clear purpose, don’t you think that our purpose will also be one, connected and emanate from His? Jesus came to relate to us therefore, I submit that our primary and only purpose is to relate to Him. The reason why I am here on earth is to be rightly related to God through Jesus. I am only here on earth to be called “God’s own child” nothing more nothing less. “12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God”. John 1:12-13.
Do you have any other reason to be here on earth? If you do, I question what it is. Now that we are clear about why we are here on earth, everything about me must be to this purpose. Since I did not establish this great purpose of being here on earth, God who established it has brought it to full accomplishment in that Jesus has already died on the cross, but more also He is risen and making intercession for me forever. This is the greatest news ever.
For all of us who are so worried about accomplishing our goals and purposes in this earth, relax, it has been accomplished. You and I just have to accept it and believe in “Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12: 2). I can guess what you are saying. Is that all? Just believe? Yes, just believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
Let me ask you and me. What else would you accomplish that will mean anything here on earth and in life after? Please name just one lofty goal (college, good job, marriage, children, fancy house and car, travel the world, even win souls or pastor a big church, etc.). “36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:38). Can you and I just be at peace? We have entered the “Rest” the “Sabbath”, Jesus Himself.
Now if you have not believed in Jesus you should be very worried. There is no other earthly goals you set and accomplish that matters anything. You want to be a Bill Gate? So please be and be the richest person on earth and you can accomplish it and please do. So what else and so what? Listen to Jesus, “Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” John 12:35-36. This is yours and mine only goal/purpose on earth – “To Be Sons/Daughters of Light (God). Have you realized your purpose? Believe in Jesus and be at rest and peace. Amen.
John 12: 19-36
19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!” 20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”
30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
The Pharisees predicted right. “Look, the world has gone after Him!” Don’t be left out like the Pharisees. They saw the miracles and others believing in Jesus but they themselves refused to believe.
Notice that the “Greeks” were there and the believed too. ”Certain Greeks among those who came up to worship… saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Even the “Greeks” and “Geeks” of our day believe too. Don’t let your intellectual achievement stop you from seeing Jesus and believing in Him for eternal life. It is available to all races, nationals, tribes and tongues.
Experience the greatest paradox of the Christian Faith. “24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor”. Love your life here, then lose later, hate life now, keep it for eternal life. What is Jesus talking about? He is basically saying I should exchange my life for his life. He lost his here and have kept it forever now. We must not concentrate on our own success in this life on earth, otherwise we lose what really matters. Our concentration should and must only be in Christ’s own Success which He accomplished on the Cross. We are wired to proof what we can do and accomplish. But God’s kingdom is all about what He has done and will do for us. It does not mean we become lazy.
Let’s not try to over analyze all of God’s paradoxes but let’s accept it all and that is why it is called faith. Are you driven to success? May it be success in knowing and understanding and proclaiming like Apostle Paul, “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,[a] for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17. Are you living by faith? Or are you living by your performance? We can’t please God by performance but by faith in Jesus. It is God’s grace and grace alone. That is why I am here on earth to receive God’s grace – Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for granting me your grace. Amen.
We have all heard the counsel of the motivational gurus, “Set goals and follow it and you will achieve success”. Here is goal setting explained. “Jot down the goals you want to reach. Look at each goal and evaluate it. Make any changes necessary to ensure it meets the criteria for a SMART goals: (S = Specific, M = Measurable, A = Attainable, R = Realistic, T = Timely). Specific - Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen. Specifics help us to focus our efforts and clearly define what we are going to do”. (http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/goal-setting-tutorials/smart-goal-setting).
There is some utility and validity to the above goal setting guideline. However, it starts us of with the wrong premise that we in ourselves know what we want to do and why we want to do it. In other words, it assumes we brought ourselves to this earth and therefore will accomplish whatever we want. “What you want to happen”! That sounds too powerful and one becomes “a god”. It is a bit scarier don’t you think?
Let’s start from the real source – God. Let’s learn from Jesus himself being God knew exactly why He came to earth. Apostle John records the following as Jesus predicts his death, “27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.”…… 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die. John 12:27, 32-33).
It was clear to Jesus why He came to earth from Heaven. He came to die on the cross so that all people’s sins would be forgiven and be reconciled to a Holy God. He came to re-establish a messed up relationship (“draw all peoples to Myself”) so we can rightly relate to Him. The goal, purpose or aim is very clear and not ambiguous.
Do you therefore know why you are here on earth? Do I therefore know why I am here on earth? If Jesus had one clear purpose, don’t you think that our purpose will also be one, connected and emanate from His? Jesus came to relate to us therefore, I submit that our primary and only purpose is to relate to Him. The reason why I am here on earth is to be rightly related to God through Jesus. I am only here on earth to be called “God’s own child” nothing more nothing less. “12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God”. John 1:12-13.
Do you have any other reason to be here on earth? If you do, I question what it is. Now that we are clear about why we are here on earth, everything about me must be to this purpose. Since I did not establish this great purpose of being here on earth, God who established it has brought it to full accomplishment in that Jesus has already died on the cross, but more also He is risen and making intercession for me forever. This is the greatest news ever.
For all of us who are so worried about accomplishing our goals and purposes in this earth, relax, it has been accomplished. You and I just have to accept it and believe in “Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12: 2). I can guess what you are saying. Is that all? Just believe? Yes, just believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
Let me ask you and me. What else would you accomplish that will mean anything here on earth and in life after? Please name just one lofty goal (college, good job, marriage, children, fancy house and car, travel the world, even win souls or pastor a big church, etc.). “36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:38). Can you and I just be at peace? We have entered the “Rest” the “Sabbath”, Jesus Himself.
Now if you have not believed in Jesus you should be very worried. There is no other earthly goals you set and accomplish that matters anything. You want to be a Bill Gate? So please be and be the richest person on earth and you can accomplish it and please do. So what else and so what? Listen to Jesus, “Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” John 12:35-36. This is yours and mine only goal/purpose on earth – “To Be Sons/Daughters of Light (God). Have you realized your purpose? Believe in Jesus and be at rest and peace. Amen.
John 12: 19-36
19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!” 20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”
30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
The Pharisees predicted right. “Look, the world has gone after Him!” Don’t be left out like the Pharisees. They saw the miracles and others believing in Jesus but they themselves refused to believe.
Notice that the “Greeks” were there and the believed too. ”Certain Greeks among those who came up to worship… saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Even the “Greeks” and “Geeks” of our day believe too. Don’t let your intellectual achievement stop you from seeing Jesus and believing in Him for eternal life. It is available to all races, nationals, tribes and tongues.
Experience the greatest paradox of the Christian Faith. “24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor”. Love your life here, then lose later, hate life now, keep it for eternal life. What is Jesus talking about? He is basically saying I should exchange my life for his life. He lost his here and have kept it forever now. We must not concentrate on our own success in this life on earth, otherwise we lose what really matters. Our concentration should and must only be in Christ’s own Success which He accomplished on the Cross. We are wired to proof what we can do and accomplish. But God’s kingdom is all about what He has done and will do for us. It does not mean we become lazy.
Let’s not try to over analyze all of God’s paradoxes but let’s accept it all and that is why it is called faith. Are you driven to success? May it be success in knowing and understanding and proclaiming like Apostle Paul, “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,[a] for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17. Are you living by faith? Or are you living by your performance? We can’t please God by performance but by faith in Jesus. It is God’s grace and grace alone. That is why I am here on earth to receive God’s grace – Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for granting me your grace. Amen.
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