Live a “so that” Life Given to Us by God
Today, I would like to talk for a moment about the “so that,” as in:
- “so that” we will know.
- “so that” we will live as we should.
- “so that” we will look with HOPE.
- “so that” we share Jesus will those we meet.
Let’s first begin where we should, with prayer.
LORD,
Thank You for the opportunity to worship You, and Thank You for the day we have received to walk with You. Today, help us to live as we should, lead us in worship of You, and guide our hearts, hands, and mouth, as we should, “so that” others will see You in us. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Next, let’s us next go where we should, to the Bible, Your Holy and Infallible Word.
“But God, being rich in mercy,
(The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians 2: 4-7 NASB)
because of His great love with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions,
made us alive together with Christ
(by grace you have been saved),
and raised us up with Him,
and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
so that in the ages to come
He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
- Did you catch the “so that”?
- Did you see Who was the driving force?
- Did you see the Why we have been given the opportunity to live a “so that” life? &
- Did you see what the “so that” will lead those who believe to receive “in the ages to come”?
AMAZING, RIGHT!!!
A beautiful friend of mine has committed to read behind me, editing as she reads, pointing out areas where my syntax runs really long, and encouraging me how I might revise the words the Lord places on my heart to write. I am so thankful for this sweet, auburn-haired beauty. She is a God-send. As I type the Bible verse from Paul’s letter to the believers living in Ephesus, I smile, thinking, ‘I bet this long sentence would be one my sweet friend would ask me to revise’—IF IT HAD NOT BEEN GIVEN TO THE APOSTLE PAUL—BY GOD.
“so that” we will know.
The Word of God is clear about this. We can know the TRUTH, and we know that we can know because the LORD HIMSELF has placed the desire within us. See with me.
“For those whom He foreknew,
(The Letter of Paul to the Romans 8: 29-30 NASB)
He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son,
so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
and these whom He predestined, He also called;
and these whom He called, He also justified;
and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”
The Word of God is clear about this. We have ALL been on God’s mind since the moment He created us. It is the LORD who predestined us with an innate desire to know Him in relationship. As we turn toward Him in faith through Jesus Christ, He saves us (making it just-as-if-we never sinned) and He prepares us during the the rest of our lives for heaven (where we will become glorified—just as He is).
AMAZING, RIGHT!!!
“so that” we will live as we should & look with HOPE.
The Word of God is clear about this. We are to not love the world around us but to place our eyes, our focus, our HOPE of our future in heaven.
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world.
(The 1st Letter of John 2: 15-17 NASB)
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life,
is not from the Father,
but is from the world.
The world is passing away, and also its lusts;
but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”
- We are to allow our bodies to crave what is holy. &
- We are to no longer desire the things of this world. &
- We are to depend on the Father. &
- We are to let Christ Jesus reign at the center of our lives and flow through us onto others.
FOR ONE HUGE REASON—
“so that” others will come to know the Savior, as we share Jesus with those we meet.
The Word of God is clear about this. We are the children of God. By the grace of God, we have received Him, and because we have, we are to strive to look just like Him in all the ways of our person (thoughts, actions, words, and life).
“But as many as received Him,
(The Gospel According to John 1: 12-13 NASB)
to them He gave the right to become children of God,
even to those who believe in His name,
who were born,
not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man,
but of God.”
- May we who have believed on Him Live a “so that” life given to us by God. &
- May we begin anew today, “so that” others will come to know Jesus and be saved.