You were made for this.
You were re-made for this.
What is “this”?
Worship. Obey. Reproduce. Repeat.
Made to worship
You were made for this. The very first words of God to the very first man and woman convey purpose: “Be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth” (Gn 1:28)—not simply with warm bodies, but with worshippers! The story of creation took an alarming turn in Genesis 3 when God’s image bearers decided to act independently of their Maker. The relationship between God and man was fractured. Broken. And their purpose was corrupted. Because we are worshippers, we cannot not worship. So Adam and Eve turned their worship from God to creation. They were fruitful, multiplied and filled the earth, but with misdirected worship. Idolatry is the default religion of fallen humanity. Yet, God’s plan will not be thwarted. Why? Because we were made for this.
Made to be ambassadors
You were also re-made for this. After Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, his final words prior to ascending echoed those first words of purpose from Genesis 1:28: “All authority in heaven and earth have been given to me. Therefore, go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded. And surely I will be with you until the end of the age” (Mt. 28:18-20). If you have surrendered to God’s rescue plan through repentance of your sins and faith in Jesus’ atoning work on the Cross, then you have been reconciled to God. Paul describes it: “You’re a new creation in Christ.” But he doesn’t stop there. He continues, “You’ve been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation… You are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17-20). Just like God’s plan will not be thwarted, our purpose will not be either. Why? Because we were re-made for this.
Our dual-identity in Christ is summarized as “new Creation in Christ” and “ambassador for Christ”. We must not claim the former without embracing the latter. As we enter into Southeastern’s “Who’s Your One?” challenge, please understand that we believe God is merely asking you to be who you were created to be. THIS is your identity! New creation. Ambassador. And as you embrace the latter as your identity, and God makes his appeal through you to your “one”, understand that you begin with the people in your circle of influence. But you don’t stop there. Pray for and care for your one. Share with your one. And keep praying. But don’t fail to recognize that your identity isn’t contingent upon their response. Which means you also need to ask, “Who’s your next one?” Why? Because you were made (and re-made) for this.
Be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth with worshippers. How? Make disciples of Jesus, teaching them to obey all that he commanded. And know that the God who was with the first man and woman in the garden, has promised to be with you—until his mission is complete and the earth is filled with worshippers.
