God's Hidden Purpose

"God has made known to us His hidden purpose, such was His will and pleasure determined beforehand in Christ, to be put into effect when the time was ripe: namely, that the universe, all in heaven and on earth, might be brought into a unity in Christ. In Christ indeed we have been given our share in the inheritance, as was decreed in His design whose purpose is everywhere at work. For it was His will that we, who.. set our hope on Christ, should cause His glory to be praised." (1)

"For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so, it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these should perish." (2)

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works." (3)

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" (4)

"Come to Me, all of you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (5)

It is God's purpose that everyone in heaven and on earth be brought into unity in Christ. God has given Jesus Christ to us as a Saviour, a brother, and friend to show us the way to a life without end and without the sin, sickness, and evil that plague this world. God and Jesus Christ have pulled aside the veil, and have revealed to us Their purpose, and the future that we have, if we are willing to accept it. If we accept God's vision and plan for our lives and we accept Jesus Christ as the Lord of our life, then we are in unity with Him; and our mission is to help others to know Him!

What a wonderful opportunity God has shared with us, that we may be involved with Him in helping people to come into unity with Jesus. Making friends for Jesus is making friends for eternity. Consider the following, Why are we here?

1. Ephesians 1:9-12, NEB.
2. Matthew 18:11-14.
3. Matthew 16:26, 27.
4. Psalm 34:8.
5. Matthew 12:28-30.