Have you ever thought about the need to untwist ourselves? Michael Reeves talks about it in his book, Delighting in the Trinity:
By cultivating in us a deepening taste for Christ, the epitome of beauty, the Spirit polishes a new humanity who begins to shine with his likeness. We become like what we worship…That means untwisting me.
Michael Reeves, Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith
The blessing of life in Christ is the purpose it brings. This proves a huge change from anything the world can offer. We begin to untwist and focus not on ourselves but on Christ. With the help of the Spirit, we become like the One we worship.
Paul wrote about it like this:
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5-6 NIV
The foundation of hope lies in eternity. In Christ, our eternal destination is set; and while we look forward to being with him in the life to come, we set our minds on how we can please him today.
Also, the moral compass I have in Christ keeps everything in balance. Atheists don’t have this, because of the fickle state of man. What was once a moral standard, changes with every new generation. Easily spotted in our current social climate, people are afraid to say anything out of fear of non-conformity.
Not only do we have a moral compass in Christ, but we have accountability through the Body of believers. I have someone I can call when I’m unsure of what to do, and as we both look at the Word for guidance, we can figure it out together. This is not heavy-handed accountability, but one based on the desire for unity and reconciliation.
We find the final shift for believers in charity. “The greatest of these is love.” When we have the mind of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit, we are sure of our purpose: To love the Lord and others. I’ve never heard an atheist define his life by love.
Are you living out this paradigm shift in your day-to-day life? Do you live, sure of your destiny, firm in your integrity, accountable to others, and abounding in love toward God and others? If so, you’re living a life of purpose, evermore in the image of Christ.
Grace and Peace