What Is the Primary Purpose of Being a Christian?
How should we then live?
What is the primary purpose of being a Christian? Why has God called us, saved us, and set us apart? Let me ask the question in another way. What is God’s greatest desire for your life? Is it to praise and worship him? Is it to try to live a life without sin? Is it to serve him in some way? Is it to know the Bible and become doctrinally correct? Is it to tell others about Jesus? Is it to be involved in trying to impact and change culture? All of these are important, but they are not the primary purpose of being a Christian!
I have concluded that the majority of Christians view their primary purpose in life through the lens of knowing and doing. Many believe that being a “good” Christian is measured by knowing what the Bible says, believing the right doctrines, and participating in the life of the church. These things are indeed good. However, a person can faithfully do all of them and not be changed. They can be full of Bible information, believe the doctrines of their Christian “tribe,” and yet not be transformed. Believing and doing the “right” things is not our primary purpose as Christ Followers. We can easily be caught up in the belief that doing is more important than being. Yet, God primarily looks at our being—how we are being formed, or transformed, on the inside. When God led Samuel to the house of Jesse in order to anoint the next king of Israel, he showed the prophet this very truth.
When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab, and he thought, “Surely the LORD has appointed this person standing here before him.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t look at how handsome Eliab is or how tall he is, because I have not chosen him. God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the LORD looks at the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:6-7 NCV
So what should be our main purpose as Christians? What is God’s greatest desire for our lives?
God’s greatest desire for our lives is to shape us into the image of Jesus!
So, how do we know we are being changed and transformed to become more like Jesus? One marker is to live out what Jesus said in John 15:5.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. — John 15:5 NIV
When we live in the presence of Christ (abiding), Jesus says that the result is bearing fruit. However, a lot of Christ Followers tend to equate bearing fruit to what we do, not who we are becoming. Yet, we are told in Galatians that the fruit that comes from being with Jesus, through the presence of the Holy Spirit are interior characteristics — being, not doing.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. - Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Questions to ponder:
Do I tend to measure my life in Christ by what I do (reading the Bible, mnistering to others, attending church, etc.)?
When I consider the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42), am I primarily a Mary or a Martha?
As I look at the nine characteristics called the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23, which one does God need to create in me the most?
How and when can I create more time each day to “abide in Jesus?”
Slow to get to this one, but it reflects well the teachings in Orthodoxy (theosis - becoming like God - not in essence - but in His energy), or what the Roman Catholics describe as deification. "When Christ appears, we will be LIKE HIM" - transformed, yes!
Being, not doing. Thank you for pointing out that that is what God wants our transformation to be. Of course we still “do,” but we “do” because we love Jesus and people.