One of the outstanding qualities of Christ’s character was His complete selflessness.  In Philippians 2:3-8, Paul held up Christ Jesus as an example of the selfless attitude that Christians are to possess.  He said that Jesus, although equal with God, “emptied Himself” and came to the world in the form of a bond-servant and the appearance of a man.  This was not at all in the personal interests of Christ, but it was for us that He submitted to the will of the Father and died on the cross.

Unlike Christ, men tend to be self-centered.  A self-centered person sees himself as the central purpose of his own existence.  In his mind, he exists to serve himself and for his own pleasure.  Such a person not only sees himself in this way, but he also esteems others according to how they may serve his pleasure.  He has no interest in doing anything or engaging anyone that will not promote his own self-interests.  Sadly, this is what the world has bred into men as they have taught themselves to be self-indulgent and self-esteemed.

Moreover, men often behave as if God exists solely for them.  Of course, many in their self-interests have convinced themselves that there is no God at all.  For many others who do acknowledge God, to them He is little more than a safety net to save them during times of crisis.  Some approach God as if His only purpose is to provide for them, and they thanklessly petition him for all they desire.  Even for many who seek to worship God, their worship services are vainly designed to please themselves rather than to conform to God’s will.

The truth is that God is the true and real purpose of our existence.  We were not made for our own pleasure, and God does not live to serve us.  There is an abundance of Scripture that expresses the truth that we and all things were made through Christ and for Christ.  Consider some of these passages:

Romans 11:36 – “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever. Amen”

1Corinthians 8:6 – “Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.”

Colossians 1:16 – “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created by Him and for Him.”

The Scripture tells us that Christ our God is the “be-all and end-all” for the life of man.  This was expressed by our Lord when He said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev. 1:8), and again, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end…” (Rev. 21:6).  The purpose of man’s life is Christ, and the sooner we embrace this, the better we will be (Phil. 1:21; Col. 3:4).

The knowledge of this truth makes Christ’s sacrifice all the more impressive.  Although we rebelled against the very purpose for which we were made, God still loved us to such an extent that He gave His Son as a sacrifice to save us from our own self-destructive ways.  Even though we rejected both the purpose of our existence and the Creator who made us, He still has mercy on our souls.  Through Christ’s sacrifice, we have a second chance to serve our Creator’s purpose for us so that we may be complete in Him.

Therefore, we must overcome our sense of entitlement and realize what the purpose of our existence is.  God does not exist for our pleasure, but we exist for His.  We have no right to demand anything from God, but we are privileged that He allows us to approach His throne of mercy and be reconciled to Him.  It is a blessing to live in His service, and we should all pray that He will accept us through Christ and thank Him for the opportunity.  Praise God and give Him the glory.

Stacey E. Durham