My Life’s Purpose in Scripture
Arranged and Paraphrased by Kevin Hamm
From the New American Standard Version
When I look around and see all of the opinions of what is right and what is wrong I am encouraged that “blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3
When I look around and see all the evil in this world I am compelled to ask “How can a young man keep his way pure?” Psalm 119:9 I am encouraged that I can do so by “keeping it according to God’s word. With all my heart I have sought Him; Who will not let me wander from His commandments. God’s word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Him.” Psalm 119:10-11Because “His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
When I look around and see all the foolishness in this world I am encouraged that “I understand more than the aged, because I have observed God’s precepts.” Psalm 119:100 I don’t need to let anyone look down upon me, “but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, I willshow myself an example of those who believe.” I Timothy 4:12I will“let my light shine before men in such a way that they may see my good works, and glorify my Father who is in heaven.” Mark 5:16I will“be diligent to present myself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15I will“present my body a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is my spiritual service of worship.” And I willnot “be conformed to this world, but I willbe transformed by the renewing of my mind, so that I may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1&2 Because I am “in Christ,” and I am “a new creature; the old things are passed away; behold, new things have come.” II Corinthians 5:17 For “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20 “The time already past is sufficient for me to have carried out the desire of the gentiles.” I Peter 4:3 And I know that when I am tempted “God is faithful to provide a way of escape that I may be able to endure it.” I Corinthians 10:13 But all is not perfect and difficult times do come. At those times I will“consider it all joy, …when I encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of my faith produces endurance. And I willlet endurance have its perfect result, so that I may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 For I know that “blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 And when the negative seems almost overpowering I am encouraged “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, to dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 And if I am ever tempted to focus too much on myself, I will“do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind I willregard others as more important than myself; not merely looking out for my own personal interests, but also for their interests. I willhave this attitude in myself which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:3-11This I believe with all my heart and I will“proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that I willpresent every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”Colossians 1:28&29 And with that power I will“run with endurance the race that is set before me, fixing my eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who, for the joy set before Him endured the cross.” Hebrews 12:1&2 And I know that “those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize. Therefore, I willrun in such a way that I may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but I an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” I Corinthians 9:24-27To stay fit for this race I will“apply all diligence in my faith to supply moral excellence and in my moral excellence, knowledge, and in my knowledge, self-control, and in my self-control, perseverance, and in my perseverance, godliness, and in my godliness, brotherly kindness, and in my brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are mineand are increasing, they render me neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ. And I know as long as I practice these things I willnever stumble and that in this way my entrance into the eternal kingdom of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to me.” II Peter 1:5-8,10b&11“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13&14 And all of these things I willentrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. II Timothy 2:2
“In God’s book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” Psalm 139:16 I know the days that were not meant to be my last. They are behind me. I don’t know how many days I have left, but this I do know, by abiding in Christ and He in me I John 3I willrun the race, I willpress on toward the goal, I willshine my light so that, by God’s grace I may one day hear those cherished words “well done my good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21