Young People's Group

But You Have Carefully Followed (IV)

by Mitchell Tan
November 17, 2017

DRIVEN BY A DEEP SENSE OF PURPOSE

Young people, do you have a sense of purpose in your life? The apostle Paul had a deep sense of purpose for his life and ministry. Not only did his doctrine affected his manner of life, it also gave him a tremendous sense of purpose.

“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose”
2 Timothy 3:10

The word “purpose” is the Greek word “prothesis”. It is a reference to living one’s life purposefully. Paul had found a tremendous sense of purpose from the Lord. And it was this sense of purpose that drove him to live and serve the way he did. This was something that we see in the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus (John 4:34). He was most conscious of the will of God and sought to fulfil it. Paul and Timothy also had this strong sense of purpose for their life. Let’s be challenged to have this too.

CONSCIOUS OF THE LORD’S DIVINE PURPOSE AND GRACE

“Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began”
2 Timothy 1:9

The Greek word “prothesis” was also used in an earlier verse of in 2 Timothy 1. Paul was writing to Timothy about suffering for the Lord and for the sake of the gospel. They were meant to do this because they had been specially saved and called with a holy calling from God. This was according to His own purpose and grace that was given to him in the Lord Jesus. God’s purpose is truly unfailing. When He gave this purpose, there was also the grace that went with it. Paul was telling Timothy to not be afraid of suffer because they had received grace, life and immortality in Christ Jesus. There was no need to fear suffering and even death if they are conscious of God’s divine purpose.

HAVING A DEEP SENSE OF PURPOSE TO SERVE

“But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will reveal to you … as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you”
Acts 26:16-18

The phrase “for this purpose” is actually the phrase “eis touto” (to this end). It has the idea of how towards this singularity of goal that the Lord had appeared to Paul. He saved him for the purpose of appointing him as a minister and a witness of the things that he had seen of the Lord and of that which He would reveal. The word “minister” is the word “hupéretés”. It is a reference to one who is like an attendant for the day. He attends to all the different matters that he has been asked to do. Paul was meant to be a minister and a witness for the Lord to both to the Jews and especially the Gentiles that he might open blind eyes and help them find salvation in Christ. He was appointed to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles (2 Timothy 1:11). Paul found a tremendous sense of purpose in serving the Lord as a “hupéretés”.

TOTALLY DEVOTED TO FULFILLING THE LORD’S PURPOSE

“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision”
Acts 26:19

The apostle Paul was not disobedient to the vision and the purpose that he had been called to do. He was totally devoted to fulfilling God’s will for his life. He was deeply conscious of the Lord’s purpose for him and was most committed to obeying it. Young people, the apostle Paul is a very good example of one who had lived his life most purposefully. Let’s seek to emulate his example by comprehending God’s purpose for our life, being conscious of it and being committed to fulfilling it.

Back to Article Listing