The words “purpose” and “meaning” are thrown around a lot in our culture. We want to have a purpose in our lives, our work, and everything we do. An article by Forbes popped up a few years ago that claimed millennials want to work for purpose more than a paycheck. We want to work for something “bigger than ourselves” or something that “makes a difference.” A recent movie even pondered the question of the purpose of the life of a canine.
Even in the Christian sphere we seek after purpose. And rightly so. In 2002 Rick Warren released his book titled The Purpose Driven Life. It sold over 30 million copies in the first five years. Clearly, we are hungering for meaning. And when someone claims to have figured out what our purpose should be, we consume it faster than the donuts on Sunday morning.
But what do we actually pursue as the purpose of our lives? As followers of Christ we should be the most purpose-driven people on the planet. But to our lives and how we spend our time match up to the commands of Scripture?
Paul’s Values Before Christ
Philippians 3 is one of my favorite chapters in all of the Bible. In it Paul discusses where righteousness comes from. In the church at Philippi it seems as though a group of Judaizers were claiming that the Gentile believers should first become Jews (and follow the entire Old Testament laws) in order to be saved. However, Paul sternly rejects this.
In his rejection, Paul begins by listing his achievements before he became a Christian. He was “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee, as to zeal, a persecutor of the church, as to righteousness under the law, blameless” (3:5-6).
Before Christ, this is where he obtained his value and purpose. He was an Israelite. In terms of the law, if anyone could be thought to be without blame, it was Paul. Certainly, he found great pleasure and joy in these things. Paul had great purpose and meaning for his life.
Or so he thought.
The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ
When Paul met Christ on the Damascus Road, he was radically transformed. No longer did he find value in the things of this world. He goes on to say in verses 7 and 8, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Paul now sees his prior values as loss. He sees his earthly success, his privileges, and his achievements as worthless.
Before Christ, he saw success, status, and standing as great pursuits of life, worthy purposes. Those used to be gain to Paul. Now they are loss. But what replaced them? What is now gain for Paul?
Only one thing: Christ. He says he counts “everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” This is the only purpose worth living for. If you want meaning, look to Christ.
But What Does It Mean to Gain Christ?
Paul continues by saying he counts all things as loss so he can gain Christ “and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith” (v. 9). To gain Christ means to be found in him, being spiritually united to Christ. This can only happen though faith in Christ. Through faith in Christ, we stand before God as righteous because Christ’s obedience is imputed to us.
Paul implicitly says that his new purpose in life is to gain Christ and nothing else.
Focus on Eternity
It’s good to want purpose in your life. You only have one life, so don’t waste it. But pursue the things of eternity. Jesus said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matt. 16:26). In the Sermon on the Mount he commands us to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:20).
Don’t seek earthly treasures or success or prestige or the American dream or a comfortable life. In eternity these will matter not. Nay, use your life to gain Christ. The greatest joy will be found in being with and worshiping God for all of eternity.
Now that’s a purpose worth living for.