Posted: 7/09/04
TOGETHER:
Life verse exerts powerful influence
Do you have a life verse? Many Christians look for a single verse in Scripture that seems to “wrap up” the truth for their life. Sometimes that verse is called a life purpose statement. Here are some I have heard people use.
From Paul's Philippian epistle: “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (1:21). “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (4:13). “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead” (3:10-11). “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (3:13-14).
Or from Paul's letter to the Romans: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (8:28).
| CHARLES WADE Executive Director BGCT Executive Board |
From Matthew's Gospel: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (6:33). “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (28:19-20).
From the Old Testament: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:4-5). “'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'” (Jeremiah 29:11).
There are many others, but these have helped shape the lives and devotion of millions of Christians.
What might be Jesus' life purpose statement? I believe you find it in John's Gospel: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (10:10).
Jesus painfully notes how thieves and robbers try to steal the sheep from the Good Shepherd, but he lays down his life for his sheep. Make no mistake. There are false religious leaders who will lead God's people away from the joy of abundant life in Christ. How do you recognize false leaders? They lead you away from Jesus' way of following God. How do you know Jesus' way? How do you know what Jesus would do? You study the Scripture to know what he did!
In the Bible, you find what mattered to Jesus and what should matter to us. There you find the heart of the one who knows the mind of God as no other teacher has ever known it. And there, in him, you find the life of the one who lived perfectly and fully the truth of God and invites us to follow him. Make sure you follow no substitute.
My verse? I have had several across the years, but in the last decade, the passage for my life has been Matthew 22:37-39: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
We are loved.
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