The Why Behind the What
As I read through scripture, I notice the recurring wording following an action of the Lord or His servants. It is often worded as “In order to,” “In order that,” or “So that.”
This time around, I am reading the Good News Translation. In this Bible version, those phrases occur twenty-one times in the Old Testament books and eighteen times in the New Testament books.
When these phrases occur, they describe more than a cause-and-effect relationship. They show intentionality and purpose. There is an ultimate goal or outcome that is desired to be achieved.
I remember when I was a pastor in my first church, the church had experienced stability and growth that it had not known for many years. Many new people came to the church from various backgrounds and church affiliations. As a result, they had their own ideas about what our church should do or be like. After a service, I remember one lady approaching and making the statement, “You really do know what you are doing!” I wasn’t quite sure how to take that statement. I didn’t know if I was coming across so inept that I needed help, or if, since I was willing to listen to comments from others, what someone said would be adopted into the church. She realized that I did know the vision I had for the church, and that it was not open to being thrown off track by others, even if they were well-meaning.
The point is, I did have an outcome in mind behind the values and practices of the church. As you read the Bible, you see that the apostles and Jesus had the same desire for God’s people and their lives; they, however, did a better job than I did as a young pastor.
Consider the following example,
Jesus prayed, And for their sake I dedicate myself to you, in order that they, too, may be truly dedicated to you. John 17:19 (GNT)
But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life. John 20:31 (GNT)
It was only right that God, who creates and preserves all things, should make Jesus perfect through suffering, in order to bring many children to share his glory. For Jesus is the one who leads them to salvation. Hebrews 2:10 (GNT)
I have worked for you and for the people in Laodicea and for all others who do not know me personally. I do this in order that they may be filled with courage and may be drawn together in love, and so have the full wealth of assurance which true understanding brings. In this way they will know God’s secret, which is Christ himself. Col. 2:1-2 (GNT)
By our baptism, then, we were buried with him and shared his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father, so also we might live a new life. Romans 6:4 (GNT)
So far as the Law is concerned, however, I am dead—killed by the Law itself—in order that I might live for God. I have been put to death with Christ on his cross, Galatians 2:19 (GNT)
You get the idea of what scripture is communicating in these and other passages. What we read in the Bible is to have an impact on our lives just as it did for those who were the original recipients of the message.
God is a God of purpose. Scripture reveals the outcome for your lives when we embrace and put into practice what we are taught as we follow Jesus. The events and experiences of our lives are to serve an eternal purpose as we trust the Lord even in the valleys and dark places. Paul wrote to the Corinthians about his difficulties with this perspective. We felt that the death sentence had been passed on us. But this happened so that we should rely, not on ourselves, but only on God, who raises the dead. 1 Cor. 1:9 (GWT)
The actions of our lives should mirror that, so the actions we take will have an eternal consequence for our lives and those we influence. May we live our lives on purpose for a purpose.