Understanding Personal Purpose
Death and purpose in the life of Jesus
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8)
Purpose is the reason for the existence of a thing and outside of that specific reason for existence will only come frustration, unfulfillment and time wasted. every manufacturer has a specific purpose for their product for example a refridgerater is not to be used as a washing machine and to use it for such apurpose will only bring frustration. For every person the same principle applies and a person who is not properly positioned for why they were created will end up unfulfilled. May I also say that for every person out of place, it denies others their gift who need what they have to offer. In other words for everyone using the refridgerater as a washing machine, it denies them the benefit of the refridgerater and its rightful purpose which is food.
God is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance and for that reason he does not take those who become born again immediately to heaven to be with him, but he prepares them to become witnesses to others. Acts 1:8 says and you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you and then shall you be witnesses. Each person has a purpose that God wants them to carry out and fulfill before they die and it is up to the person whether they do so or not because God will not force anyone to do anything.
Purpose and Jesus
The beginning text in 1 John3:8 was the purpose of Jesus when he came to earth to fulfill his Fathers perfect will and this purpose was so strong until even attempts on his life were unsuccessful. The first attempt was by Herod in Matthew chapter 2; Jesus was in a vulnerable position when he was only a young child. This can be an encouragement to us today because whenever we may find ourselves in vulnerable positions, purpose is the protection needed to save our lives. The bible says that the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said unto him to take the child and flee into Egypt because Herod wanted to kill Jesus. In like manner today God will warn his people of things to come. Next we find Jesus all grown up in Luke chapter 4. He comes into the Synagogue as his custom was and reads Isaiah 61 which is a scripture that speaks about him, and as he closed the book all eyes were fastened on him. Next they took him out to the brow of the hill to throw him over head first but because ofpurpose he went through the midst of the mob and got away. Scriptures spoke of Jesus death as taking place on the cross and because it was not his time to die, and neither was being thrown over a cliff the way for him to die, purpose prevailed again.
Purpose and death as relating to us
Be not over much wicked neither be thou foolish, why shouldest thou die before thy time (Ecclesiastes 7:17).My son forget not my law but let thine heart keep my commandments for length of days and long life and peace shall they add to thee (Proverbs 3:1).
We have just established by the word of God that a person can die before their time and their life can be extended based upon the person. Many people die before God intends for them to do so because of a lack of wisdom for example a person who decides to drink and drive have violated Gods word and the law of the land, and many tragic endings have occurred. Unfortunately God always receives the blame for what a person has decided to do, but God wants all to have long life. Now there are other instances where a person is not at fault, but we do have an enemy the devil who has the power to inflict sickness and disease (John 10:9-10). Many people that were healed were healed as Jesus would cast out spirits of infirmity, deaf and dumb spirits etc. Also sickness happens because of the body aging and going back to the dust (Ecclesiastes 12). The word of God is wisdom and as we apply it to our life through obedience, purpose will protect us because it is Gods perfect will that a person carry out their purpose. So what all of this means is that we must make wise choices such as what we eat, who we hang around with, places we go that are unsafe etc and life is protected on a practical level, but on a spiritual level one must remain in the will of God by obeying his word and allowing purpose to prevail.
Hezekiah's purpose prevailed
15 years added to life
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him and said unto him, thus saith the Lord set thine house in order for thou shall die and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall and prayed unto the Lord and said remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah saying go, and say to Hezekiah thus saith the Lord the God of David thy father I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears, behold I will add unto thy days fifteen years (Isaiah 38:1).
In reading the above text it appears that God wanted to take the life of Hezekiah but that could not be true because he sent Isaiah to tell him to get his house in order. If he wanted him to die he would not have warned him but simply took his life. God tries to warn us today about the dangers lerking and if we heed his warnings then life will be prolonged. Remember James chapter 1 says that every good and perfect gift comes from above and God is no respecter of persons so if he added years to Hezekiah's life , he will do the same for you and I.
purpose added 15 more years
The decision is up to you
For me to live is Christ and to die is gain but if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour, yet what I shall choose, I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better. Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. (Philippians 1:21).A persons will has a great deal to do with whether they live or depart. Doctors have reported that people who survive surgery must have a desire to live. Some have died that to the doctors surprise really should not have while others have survived that should have died but the persons desire to live or simply give up had a lot to do with it.
The Apostle Paul had a desire to live because of the need for the people even though he desired at first to depart and be with Christ which was far better. He actually decided whether or not he was going to live or die. This is why a person should live life to the full and enjoy it, because a will not to live may shorten a persons life. Hebrews 9:27 says and as it is appointed unto men once to die and after this the judgement means even though we all have an appointment, it should be Gods timing for us and not by our own lack of wisdom or will.
