Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men

Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men

My Father‟s business” (Luke 2:49 NKJV ). Jesus knew His identity as the Son of God and as God the Son. He said, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58). He knew His reason for being and His purpose in life: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). The example Jesus set for us by His life shows us our need for these important elements related to purpose: (1) a clear self- image; (2) a life consistent with one‘s purpose and calling. Jesus lived a life that was totally consistent with who He said He was. He had complete integrity; He always kept and fulfilled His own words. John the Baptist is another example of a man who knew his identity. He had a sense of confidence in who he was and what he was called to do, so that he could affirm, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, „M ake straight the way for the Lord‟” (John 1:23). The apostle Paul also clearly had a vision for his life. He had a strong self-image and exhibited clarity of purpose.

How frequently he began his letters with such statements as, “Paul, a se r vant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle,” or “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” (See, for ex ample, Romans 1:1, Ephesians 1:1.) He also made these statements of pur

We receive

God’s vision

through our

encounters

with Him.

pose: “For this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle” (1 Tim. 2:7); “Of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher” (2 Tim. 1:11). John the Baptist and Paul received God‘s vision for their lives through their encounters with Him. True vision can be found only in God‘s presence. Jesus Himself was giv en to prayer and reflection during His entire earthly life. He was in constant contact with the Father in order to know how to fulfill His life‘s purpose. After a day of partic ularly busy ministry in which He had healed the sick and demon possessed, He got up early the next day and went to pray in a quiet place. When Peter and the other disciples found Him there, they exclaimed, “Everyone is looking for you!” (Mark 1:37). Jesus could have basked in the people‘s

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