For the last several weeks, I’ve been reminding our youth group students about the purpose of Christian life, which is “to represent Jesus Christ through all that we do.” The statement may sound too simple for some people, but it took me several months, if not a few years, to come up with it because I wanted to form a sentence that is theologically comprehensive yet understandable for our youth group students.
I have no doubt that there are other life purpose statements more theologically exhaustive than mine. For instance, Westminster Shorter Catechism Q & A 1 is an excellent description that summarizes the Christian aim in depth.
Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
It’s a biblically accurate declaration of Christian goal in life. But the catechism has difficulty in conveying it’s profound meaning to the young Christians of the twenty-first century. For example, what does it mean to glorify God? What does it mean to enjoy him forever? A seasoned Christian will have no problem deciphering the theological richness of the statement, but young Christians that are not mature in biblical teachings will have difficulties understanding the meaning.
So, it has been my long-time aspiration to craft a life purpose statement that our youth group students can comprehend and practically apply into their lives. Then one day as I was reading 1Corinthians 10:31, I discovered something that helped me to form the purpose statement.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
When I read the verse, I felt as if everything that was in my mind about the purpose statement was coming down to one sentence:
“Our purpose in life is to represent Jesus Christ through all that we do.”
I truly believe in my heart that the reason why God created and saved me was to represent my Savior through all that I do in this life. Whether I am working or resting, spending time with friends or doing ministry, eating or drinking, I desire that every step and move of my life will reveal Christ because that is the purpose and calling I have received from the Lord.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” -Galatians 2:20
Now, it is my prayer that my beloved disciples in DSYG will come to find the biblical meaning and joy in life by sharing the same passion and purpose with me through the life purpose statement that I humbly formed for them. Although it’s not perfect, I’m hoping that it will help them to live with God’s calling in their hearts each day.
Dongsan Youth Group 