“The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9 NLT)
In general terms a goal is an aim or purpose, a desired outcome, but often we enter a relationship with the Lord without any clear or defined goal. It makes sense to have an expectation; otherwise, why begin the journey? And yes, of course, we want to go to heaven, but are we naïve enough to believe that journey will not cost us anything; that it won’t be difficult or challenging?
Shouldn’t we, as Jesus expressed in Luke 14:28, count the cost? In that context He speaks of considering the cost of construction of a building, but the same principle applies to most anything we do, whether a major purchase, marriage, or singleness. Certainly, something as life transforming as becoming a Jesus follower deserves our utmost consideration.
Jesus made it clear that His goal for us wasn’t to make us happy or comfortable, two things most people highly value, but to make us holy. Why? Because without holiness no one will see God (Hebrews 12:14)! What does being holy look like? It essentially looks like being set apart for sacred use, pure, without spot or blemish, unmarred by the soiling effects of life in this world. But how is that even possible? It’s not in our own effort! That’s the point.
God’s goal is to enable us to become someone we couldn’t possibly become without Him. That’s why when we yield our life and allegiance to the Lord Jesus, He imparts to us the privilege of becoming the new residence of His Holy Spirit. We are filled with Jesus in the Person of His Holy Spirit when we’re born again.
Why is that so important? Because holiness demands the cleansing presence of God living in and through us; otherwise, as human beings we’re powerless to make the needed changes to conform to the image of our Savior. That’s why Paul pleaded with the Romans, and with us, in Romans 12:1-2: “And so, dear brothers and sisters. I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him Don’t copy the behavior and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
We want to give the Lord our heart, maybe even our mind, but our body? But we can never transform ourselves, that’s God’s job, His goal if you will. Transformation is the work of God in and through us, but it must include every dimension of our being – body, mind, soul. And here’s the irony, it’s not hard to let God do what He wants to do. Think of Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
My sense is the Lord is not finished with me, but I can tell you based on more than 60 years being yoked with the Lord, He is true to His Word and has never given me a burden I couldn’t handle with His help. Why can it sometimes seem so hard? Perhaps Pastor Corky Calhoun addresses this when he writes: “God’s goal is not to buy us more time on earth, but to make sure we spend eternity with Him in heaven.”
It’s not always an easy road, but it’s well worth the effort.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 