God is at work in the world – and he wants each person to join him, Rick Warren
insists.
Note: The Louisiana Baptist Convention currently is engaged in a pilot program
to use “The Purpose-Driven Life” study by Rick Warren in several churches.
Plans call for use of the study to be expanded statewide next year. As part
of that effort, the Baptist Message is presenting a series of articles based
on Warrens book. This week looks at the last of five purposes in the book
and concludes the series of articles.
C. Lacy Thompson, LBM Associate Editor
God is at work in the world – and he wants each person to join him, Rick Warren
insists.
In other words, everyone is “made for a mission, …” Warren writes
in “The Purpose-Driven Life,” his best-selling study book.
“The mission Jesus had while on earth is now our mission because we are
the Body of Christ. What he did in his physical body we are to continue as his
spiritual body, the church. What is that mission? Introducing people to God!”
(Authors italics)
The mission delivered to each Christian is critical, says Warren, pastor at
Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., a Southern Baptist congregation and
one of the largest churches in the nation.
It represents a wonderful privilege and the greatest thing one can do for others,
he explains. It also gives ones life meaning – and has eternal significance.
“It will impact the eternal destiny of other people, so its more
important than any job, achievement or goal you will reach during your life
on earth,” Warren emphasizes. “The consequences of your mission will
last forever. … Nothing you do will ever matter as much as helping people
establish an eternal relationship with God.”
While that is a mission given to all Christians, it is specific to each person
in how they are called to spread the gospel, Warren says.
“You should continually look for people God places in your path with whom
you can share the gospel, …” he notes. “There are people on this
planet whom only you will be able to reach, because of where you live and what
God has made you to be.”
However, fulfilling such a mission requires one to abandon any personal agenda
and wholeheartedly accept Gods call, Warren reminds persons. “You
cant just tack it on to all the other things youd like
to do with your life,” he cautions.
Instead, persons must understand that God has given them a life message to
share, Warren explains in his study.
“Sharing your testimony is an essential part of your mission on earth
because it is unique,” Warren says. “There is no other story just
like yours, so only you can share it. If you dont share it, it will be
lost forever.”
Thus, one must make a choice – to be a world-class Christian or a worldly Christian,
Warren insists.
“Worldly Christians look to God primarily for personal fulfillment,”
he explains. “They are saved but self-centered. … They want to use God
for their purposes instead of being used for his purposes.
“In contrast, world-class Christians know they were saved to serve and
made for a mission. They are eager to receive a personal assignment and excited
about the privilege of being used by God.
“World-class Christians are the only fully alive people on the planet.”
However, to live as a world-class Christian will require a shift in focus,
Warren says. Persons must move from self-centered thinking to other-centered
thinking.
They must begin to think globally, to pray for other nations and workers in
other areas of the world. They must focus less on the “here and now”
and more on eternal issues, letting go of whatever it is that is keeping them
from their mission.
Finally, they must quit making excuses for why they cannot fulfill their mission
and start looking for means to do so, Warren says. “We are all called to
fulfill Gods five purposes for our lives – to worship, to fellowship,
to grow like Christ, to serve and to be on mission with God in the world.
“God doesnt want to use just some of his people; he wants to use
all of his people. We are all called to be on mission for God. He wants his
whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.”
As one undertakes that mission, Warren urges that they maintain balance regarding
the five purposes of their lives.
He suggests joining a small group for accountability, regularly evaluating
ones spiritual health, keeping a personal journal and passing on what
one learns to others as keys to such balance.
The goal of such endeavors is the same – to keep one focused on the goal of
life, Warren explains. “Today, God calls each of us to the same work,”
he insists.
“Not only does he want us to live out his purposes, he also wants us to
help others do the same. God wants us to introduce people to Christ, bring them
into his fellowship, help them grow to maturity and discover their place of
service and then send them out to reach others, too.”
Indeed, while there are many “good” things persons may do with their
lives, fulfilling Gods purposes are essential, Warren insists. He adds
that it is there that individuals find the answers to the key questions of life
– “Who am I?” “Do I matter?” and “What is my place
in life?”
To stay focused on Gods purposes, Warren urges persons to draft a “life
purpose statement.” Among other things, such a statement is designed to
summarize Gods purposes for ones life, to indicate the direction
of ones life and to define “success” for an individual, he explains.
In drafting such a statement, Warren suggests persons consider five questions:
What will be the center of my life? “This is the question
of worship,” he says. “Who are you going to live for? What are you
going to build your life around?”
What will be the character of my life? “This is the question
of discipleship,” Warren says. “What kind of person will you be? God
is far more interested in what you are than what you do.”
What will be the contribution of my life? “This is the question
of service. What will be your ministry in the Body of Christ? … How can you
make a difference?”
What will be the communication of my life? “This is the question
of your mission to unbelievers,” Warren notes.
What will be the community of my life? “This is the question
of fellowship,” Warren says. “How will you demonstrate your commitment
to other believers and connection to the family of God?”
One day, God will review the answers to those questions, Warren explains. “Did
you put Jesus at the center of your life? Did you develop his character? Did
you devote your life to serving others? Did you communicate his message and
fulfill his mission? Did you love and participate in his family?
“These are the only issues that will count.”
Warren insists the bottom line is to follow in the path of David, who the Bible
says “served Gods purpose in his generation.”
The truth is – God still is looking for people to use, Warren concludes.
“Will you be a person God can use for his purposes? Will you serve Gods
purpose in your generation?”