God’s Word is divine. The knowledge in it gives encouragement and hope for believers. It reminds that there is a purpose behind their calling, i.e. God should rejoice with them in the heavenly places. And they also receive a purpose to live out their life for God on earth. God called them and continues to call men to Him that He makes an end to the present creation. He eagerly waits to dispose the judgment He planned. For this reason also, we who believed in Him ought to live for Him so that those who are being called have a reason to live their lives for Him. He has planned and prepared a better life for all who trust Him, and the events He set in line to take place will ensure we have that better life. “And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years” (Rev. 20:2).
When people of this earth think of a better life, it is not equivalent to that which we believers know. We strive to live for God to have the life He prepared for us. They strive for a life that is seemingly better. We are driven by God’s purpose. They are guided by deception. In fact, there are many unsaved people that have been deceived into calling themselves Christians. The reason is plain and simple. The Adversary has not yet been bound. Yet, we, having received the knowledge of a better life, escaped deception. God desired it for us so that He can rejoice with us in heaven. Our prime duty is to continue to live past deception. In doing so, we help the world understand deception. As we carry out our God-given purpose, we create an opportunity for many to escape deception.
Nowhere in the Bible is Satan described more transparently than in the above passage. It describes his whole being. He changes form, creates seeming ways and accuses God’s children to deceive. Now, the very reason God gives His purpose to those whom He calls is that they do not fall for his work. His purpose has its own direction having been filled with wisdom and has every supply. He fills it that we, His children, can escape deception. As long as the Adversary is not bound, he prowls around us hoping to deceive. He has already deceived the world and continues to do so. But what he cannot do, if we stick to God’s purpose, is deceive us. Many Christians do not accept the necessity of God’s purpose for His children. It is because there are those that teach against its significance. And, there are others that do not thrive in it. But, we see how important it is. Without it there can be no understanding of the better life God has prepared. When thriving in it, the provisions, works and wonders God avails us helps us catch a glimpse of the heavenly life. We realize that the moment Satan is bound we obtain the better life. This realization, an outcome of having God’s purpose, came by the following: “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9).
God availed His purpose to us, because we are saved. We are saved, since we accepted the Word from the Spirit. While many question the sufficiency the Word purports for salvation, the Word does not. There is no deficit in the Word and if there is any lack, it is in those who cannot realize God’s desire. Their thinking is not of the Spirit. So, they demand more than the Word required. Yet, God designed salvation in such a way that it is by His works and not by ours. His works brought forth grace. To confess with our mouth and believe in our heart as Paul said is accepting His works. We accept that no favor done for Him qualifies us for salvation. It is in accepting His works alone that we are saved. His works are making Jesus as Lord and raising Him from the dead. They indicate He paid the penalty for our sin without our concern. It means He did not intend we perform any work for salvation, but accept His works. And those who do so qualify to receive His purpose.
Consider for the moment the purpose of God for John the Baptist. His father prophesied saying, “To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear” (Luke 1:74). God always has a purpose in mind when He calls men and women to Him. Christians are truly born after Christ to serve Him. Upon whom their light is shone, they will be saved from the Enemy and his hordes. Salvation by accepting the works of God is without fear. In it there is the work of being liberated. We serve Him boldly knowing that there is a better life prepared for us. This whole creation is created by God for Him, and we who have His purpose are the only ones that realize it. He has called us to lead others to His home that He can rejoice with them as well. And when we are serving the gospel, we have all the more reason, power and liberty to rescue as many as possible for Him. In Christ He planned it long ago and prophesied. “In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity” (Zech. 13:1).
The fountain is the words that save men. God has prophesied He would bring forth a gospel that does not seek the merit of men. For Israel had already shown that man’s merit cannot quantify for God’s balance. So, when we carry His message of salvation in a rightful manner, many will turn to Him. Our life for Him shows we are saved by grace through faith and not by any work of ours. Then, the words Paul spoke for salvation will be known to be true. For the purpose that God gave us has made way for it. Now, the reason I say many will turn to God because of us is not by our intellect or power. It is by the promise God prophesied through Zechariah. We may never be able to save those near or next to us, but with the Lord’s light in us we impact a variety of people. Again, we may never even know all the people we influenced for salvation and it is part of God working through us for His purpose. Yet, they all obtain constant nourishment for purification.
Therefore, brethren, since you have His purpose, here is the instruction of the Spirit for you: “not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:11). This Word will not allow you to become like those that do not thrive on their God-given purpose. Much more, when compared with those who do not accept the necessity of God’s purpose, you stand much taller. Satan finds it impossible to deceive you to mistrust God, His will and promises. And so, you will have a profound impact on many. God takes you under His wings and leads you in such a way that you bring Him profit. Diligence, fervent in spirit and serving the Lord are works that please Him for greater grace upon you. He avails you more so that you accomplish more for Him. While at them, you receive joy, comfort and contentment through overflowing blessings and mercy. So, Paul was able to say, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).
Nothing will be impossible for you when God is working for you. This is the fantastic knowledge of God in Paul’s statement. There is awesome boldness in it as well. It certainly did not come without walking through valleys. But in all his endeavors for God, God was with him and then provided him in such a way that one day he would make a bold and truthful statement. When you are consumed with diligence, fervent spirit and service to the Lord, you experience Paul’s emotion. Incidentally, it is God’s purpose in you that becomes the cause for such emotion. For when it has its own direction, it eliminates everything that is not His will. So, while the wisdom in it makes you wise for all things, you do not lack in anything. There is good health in it besides provisions for physical and emotional needs. There is eagerness in it and with it the fullness of expectation. God becomes everything to you, i.e. the essence of every relationship a man can truthfully acquire on earth.
Remember, God’s Word is divine. It is able to perform the entire will of God. If it is able to save you and give you His purpose that God can rejoice with many more in heaven, it is also able to judge those who do not accept Him and His will. So, do not be discouraged when you face difficulties and rejection while serving Him. Gather strength to seek divine strength from Him. Know that your striving is for a better life He reserved for you. For it will surely come. When Satan has been bound and when men can no longer be deceived, i.e. they do not have the guidance of Satan, you will receive it. You are set apart by God’s will for the honor of reigning with Christ for a long period of time over those who denied Him and your gospel concerning Him. Then, the end will come just as God promised. “But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men” (2 Pet. 3:7).