The Purpose of Christ

“Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.”
– Zig Ziglar

The human soul seeks clarity, direction, and purpose in a world swirling with confusion and an ever-increasing bombardment of choices. At the heart of Christian doctrine lies the belief that Christ’s life was not a series of random events but a deliberate mission imbued with eternal significance. Why do we need purpose? Without it, our daily struggles and joys lack a framework, a narrative that connects us to something greater than ourselves. Purpose infuses our actions with meaning, aligns our life’s course with our deepest values, and anchors us amidst life’s tumultuous seas. Through understanding the purpose of Christ, we discover our own, finding the “why” that enables us to endure any “how”.

Nicola McDermott is an Australian high jumper and Olympic silver medalist who gained international attention at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She cleared 2.02 meters, setting a personal best and earning silver. From the age of 8, Nicola was driven by a singular ambition: to break the Australian record in high jump. This dream, however, began to consume her, defining her self-worth and happiness by her athletic achievements. The pressure and unhappiness from this identity crisis led her to a pivotal moment where she decided to reevaluate her priorities.

Nicola chose to place her faith and identity in God, making serving Him her primary focus. This shift did not mean giving up her dreams, but rather reordering them to fit within a healthier framework of self-understanding and purpose. By putting God first, Nicola found that not only did her mental and spiritual health improve, but paradoxically, the doors opened for her to achieve her dream of breaking the Australian record.

Her story is a testament to the idea that when we align our lives with deeper values and not merely personal glory, we often find that our greatest potential can be realized in more fulfilling and sustainable ways. Nicola’s journey underscores the importance of finding balance between ambition and spiritual well-being, demonstrating that our greatest achievements often follow when we prioritize our internal growth and service to a greater cause.

And why, despite this, no gold medal can give her heart lasting satisfaction, but that it is God’s love, not her performance, that defines her identity.

The Narrow Path of Purpose

“Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to destruction is wide and the road to it is wide, and those who enter through it are many. But the gate that leads to life is narrow and the way to it is narrow, and those who find it are few.” (Matt. 7:13-14; Luke 13:22-24)

Jesus is saying that we have to choose to walk the straight path. Keywords: reduce, diminish, narrow, finite, shrink, penetrating, meticulous, accurate, intentional, calculated, premeditated, wilful, purpose-driven, deliberate – hit the bullseye!

A pile of ignited explosives makes a great noise and smoke but does little relative damage compared to how it can be applied to a more dynamic level. Insert and confine this explosive into a smaller bullet casing, and it causes huge damage. “A rolling stone gathers no moss” is an old proverb credited to Publilius Syrus, who, in his Sententiae, states, “people who are always moving, with no roots in one place or another, avoid responsibilities and cares”.

Jesus’ Life Was Intentional

JESUS was purposeful, but without personal ambition. He was focused, to complete the task for which He was sent.

Christ’s Purpose On Earth

Jesus had the strength of character to declare His life purpose in the most distressing moments of His life.

When condemned:

“Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37)

In His most intense intercession at Gethsemane:

“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” (John 12:27)

In His last prayer for the disciples and for the world:

“I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” (John 17:4)

During His ministry visits to various areas and people, the declaration of purpose was always clear:

“But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” (Mark 1:38)

“…or the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

From the Gospels and Epistles His purpose is clear:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 Joh. 3:8)

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners“ (1 Tim. 1:15)

What unites all these verses and Jesus’s profound acts—His incarnation, His sacrifice, His atoning death, and His resurrection—is the theme of complete healing for the whole person.

At the heart of Jesus’ mission was the restoration and wholeness of humanity.

Just as a parent cannot bear to see their child suffer from illness or misguided identity, the Creator cannot endure the sight of His creation languishing in sin and brokenness. The bond between God and humanity is deeply personal and profound. Nothing grieves the Father more than witnessing His beloved creation falling short of its intended potential due to sin and disobedience.

Jesus’ journey from divine to human, His suffering, and His victory over death were all driven by this ultimate purpose: to mend what was fractured, to restore what was lost, and to bring each individual into a place of complete healing and fulfilment. His actions were not merely about addressing individual failings but transforming the entire human experience, aligning it with the divine intention and purpose.

Focus – pulled towards the centre (the Greek sense)

The Lord spoke to me one day with this phrase in mind: Systematic, Relentless Determination. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how scattered my life has been. You cannot be all things to all men. You cannot please all people. You cannot be everywhere! This realization hit me with profound clarity, revealing how my attempts to juggle multiple roles and responsibilities led to fragmentation and exhaustion.

Systematic Relentless Determination calls for a focused approach to life. It suggests that we should channel our efforts into a well-defined strategy rather than dispersing our energy across various pursuits. It means identifying our core values, setting clear goals, and pursuing them with unwavering commitment.

Ambition and pride are always seeking great things and lofty pursuits. They prefer to spend more time with important people and do seemingly important things while ignoring the mundane duties of being an exceptional husband and parent first. Some people dream of doing great things for God, while God is waiting to do great things through you but on His terms.

Jesus was chosen to be placed in a small, intimate community for His formative years with seemingly few options, aspirations or ambitions. Jesus lived and moved in a relatively small area. He was born and raised in Bethlehem, Judea, in a small sandy field house in the inconspicuous village of Nazareth, located in a high mountainous limestone plateau above the Jezreel and Beth Netofa valleys. He then travelled to Nazareth, a small fishing village near the main routes to Jerusalem. His vocation was that of an artisan (builder/carpenter) for an odd 18 years. At the tender age of 12, He already understood that He must be busy with His heavenly Father’s work (Luke 2:45). It is clear that He had no ambition to do anything independently: “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4).

Jesus’ Declarations: “I must…”:

Thirty-five times Jesus said, “The scripture is fulfilled.” This means that He allowed Himself to be “limited” by Scripture to fulfil it.

Today, we want to be everything to all people. Jesus knew which scriptures to fulfil. It speaks of a narrow focus.

“And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49)

“but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” (Luke 4:43)

“saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” (Luke 9:22)

“Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.” (Luke 13:33)

“And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” (Luke 19:5)

“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” (John 9:4)

The gospel cannot be confined to a compartment of your life.

The Gospel cannot be adapted to our needs. Jesus does not give multiple options of salvation – choose your your preference. He gives us only ONE OPTION:“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

“The people say, but I tell you.”… His teaching was simple, to the point, and direct. You had to accept it, or reject it. He did not group people as if they were all equal. He has no “universal smile”. He praised the faith of a Roman official and pagan women, but condemned the falsehood of the Pharisees and scribes. He calls Herod “a fox”. He had no fear of man.

Jesus Achieved His Goal

Jesus declared at the end of His life, “It is finished” (John 17:4; John 19:28). He achieved His goal.

You can only finish something if you have decided what you want to do in advance.

You cannot hit five targets at once. His “food” was to do the will of the Father (John 4:32). Again, a very specific single focus.

To live purposefully, you need to limit yourself and set boundaries. He also calls us to lead a meticulous, holy, set-apart life (Matt. 16:24). The difference between a lake and a wetland is the clear dam wall. We enjoy the visual arts because of its boundaries, frames, focus, composition and discipline. Musicians focus their music or song on a particular genre, set on a consistent type of rhythm and specific key. Poetry and prose follow certain rules, rhythm, and accents, and it is a real pleasure to see someone combine all these rules and create something new.

In every discipline, limitations are not obstacles but frameworks that enable creativity and purpose. They provide the structure to channel our efforts effectively, leading to a more focused and impactful life. By setting boundaries and embracing constraints, we define our path and unlock the potential to create something truly meaningful.

A purposeful life is a lot like a GPS system. It shows you the way to where you want to go. The device requires a determined destination ~ where are you going? It also requires you to declare your starting point. In the same way, we live God’s Word through Jesus as our Way. If we encounter an obstacle or congestion of traffic, an alternative route is sought, but still with the one end goal in sight.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Amidst Betrayal

Years ago, the Lord warned us that someone would betray us. When it happened, we were shocked to realize it was someone so close to us. When I asked the Lord how we should deal with betrayal, His answer was, “Bear this as part of your suffering in Christ, but do not lose your bearings.” This is exactly what He did, knowing that Judas would betray Him and Peter would deny that he knew Him. Jesus steadfastly determined to remain in His calling and to finish it.

When the Samaritans did not receive Jesus, He became more determined to finish His work. As the time approached for Jesus to be taken up into heaven, He determinedly began the journey to Jerusalem. “His face was [set as if He was] going to Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:53)

Love is focus!

Focus and purposefulness are the direction of your heart. “Where your treasure is, your heart will be” (Matt. 6:21). It is like when we first fall in love, focusing all our attention on one person. This is how the Lord wants to remain in our hearts. We are most fulfilled when we love Him deeply. Loving the Lord with all our heart, strength, and mind is a form of focus and loyalty of the heart.

Based on the discovery of His love for us, we love the Lord with all our heart, our whole mind, and all our strength! (Deut. 10:12; 30: 6; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27). After all, Jesus is the reason for our existence because “He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). His love heals and restores our being and works in us to love one another with all believers as He loves us (Lev. 19:18).

Isaiah said: “Therefore I have set My face like a flint” (Isa. 50:7).
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isa. 26:3)
Moses said: “…for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible” (Heb. 11:27).
David said: “I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved” (Ps. 16:8).

The Root of Instability or Double-Mindedness

“When the eye of the body is single, the whole body will be full of light.” (Matt 6:22 KJV)

I was intrigued to read this verse in the Old King James version once.

The Greek word for “single” is “Opthalmous” meaning simple, uncomplicated, not confusing, established, healthy, and focused without distracting from the subject in sight. “When the eye accomplishes its purpose of seeing things as they are, it is haploús, single, healthy, perfect. Singleness, simplicity, absence of folds. ‘Haplous’ means ‘braided or plaited together and interwoven'”.

Direction stability (steadfastness): with one eye; honest, sincere, unambiguous; one after the other, one-on-one, wholeheartedness, purposefulness, purposefulness, concentration on one goal, simplicity. It also means “in single member, right behind the leader, without ambiguity or false motives and sincere”. In other words, if you are sincere, you are not pretending; there is no hypocrisy or self-obsession behind every action. Sincerity removes the blind spot in your rearview mirror!

Doubt is having your vision blurred – you see two things simultaneously, not knowing whom or what to choose. “When you are half-hearted and wavering it leaves you unstable. Can you really expect to receive anything from the Lord when you’re in that condition?” (Jas. 1:7-8 TPT)

To have a single focus is to have:

Faith – Faith is the absence of doubt. You are sure, certain, convinced, single attention.

Holiness – Is sincere, simple, with God-given clarity.

Obedience is a form of focus to accurately complete one task.

Through this faith/holiness/accuracy you:

gain authority
increase your territory and influence
become confident and bold
become more efficient

“…and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2 Cor. 10:6)

Learn And Practice To Say “No”

Only when you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, not to just say “yes” to everything, can you make your biggest contribution to the things that really matter.

Essentialism is not about getting more things done; it’s about getting the right things done. It is a disciplined, systematic approach to determining where our greatest contribution lies and then making executing those things almost effortless.

Individual choice: We can choose how to spend our energy and time.

The occurrence of “noise”: Almost everything is noise, and very few things are particularly valuable or worthy of attention.

The reality of trade-offs: We cannot have it all or do it all. You have to give up one thing to reach out to another.

The three elements—investigate, eliminate, and execute—should not be stand-alone events but a cyclical daily process.

Practical sentences that can help you prepare yourself to say NO:

“I was flattered that you thought of me, but I’m afraid I will not be able to carry it out as a result of…”
“I would very much like to help you, but I am overloaded”.
Expect the awkward pause after which either the soft “no” or the “no, but..”.
“Let me check my calendar and get back to you”.
Saying yes, then, “What should I de-prioritize?”
Say it with humor.
“You are welcome to X. I am willing to Y”.
“I cannot do that, but X may be interested”.

Multi-Tasking Makes You Stupid

“But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” (Matt. 7:26-27 Msg)

Alexander Graham Bell saw that the sun’s rays can ignite paper when focusing a lens on one point. He advised, “Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand”.

Some research that has been done has shown that performing multiple tasks (multitasking) not only wastes one’s time but, in fact, makes you stupid. A study at the University of London 2005 measured how stupid it can make one in that moment in time.

Psychiatrist Glenn Wilson measured four men’s and four women’s IQs in quiet conditions (without ringing phones and incoming e-mails) where attention was not distracted. During the tests, he measured the participants’ skin conductivity, heart rate, and blood pressure. Interestingly, the average IQ of the participants decreased by more than 10 points in conditions where their attention could be distracted. What is even more interesting is that the decline was greater in men than in women (perhaps for some reason, it is easier for women to function well when their attention can be distracted).

When asked by Warren Buffet and Bill Gates what is the most important element in business success – in one word? “Focus” was their instinctive immediate response. ^[1]

The “One-Thing” Principle

Here is an excerpt from The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business.

“On a blustery October day in 1987, a herd of prominent Wall Street investors and stock analysts gathered in the ballroom of a posh Manhattan hotel. They were there to meet the new CEO of the Aluminum Company of America — or Alcoa, as it was known — a corporation that, for nearly a century, had manufactured everything from the foil that wraps Hershey’s Kisses and the metal in Coca Cola cans to the bolts that hold satellites together. A few minutes before noon, the new chief executive, Paul O’Neill, took the stage. He looked dignified, solid, confident. Like a chief executive. Then he opened his mouth. “I want to talk to you about worker safety,” he said. “Every year, numerous Alcoa workers are injured so badly that they miss a day of work. I intend to make Alcoa the safest company in America. I intend to go for zero injuries.” ^[2]

Paul O’Neill decided on only one thing to turn his company into a success – the safety of workers. Every decision, appointment, expansion had been made in light of this one thing. The end result was not only a huge improvement in profitability, but precious lives were saved.

What is your one-thing?

Why you should find Your “Why?”

When we align our lives with the purposes of heaven, we discover our true purpose. If the rich young man had embraced Jesus’ offer: “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me”, he would have found that his financial success could coexist with a deeper, more profound purpose. Jesus illustrates through this story that life transcends material wealth; our ultimate spiritual success is found in winning souls and fulfilling our divine mission. This higher calling enriches us beyond financial gain and connects us more deeply with God.

The comedian Michael Jr. offers a unique take on the traditional saying, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime”. He humorously expands on it by highlighting that teaching someone to fish isn’t as simple as it sounds. It involves more than just showing them how to cast a line—it requires understanding the bigger picture, like finding a water source, acquiring a boat, selecting the right bait, and more.

Michael Jr. then flips the concept with a thought-provoking idea: Instead of focusing on teaching people how to fish, what if we focused on helping them discover why they should fish? When people have a deep understanding of their “why”—their purpose or motivation—they become more resourceful and driven to figure out the “how” for themselves. The heart of his message is that understanding one’s purpose can be more powerful than simply acquiring a skill because it fuels innovation, perseverance, and creativity.

A popular U.S. author and inspirational speaker, Simon Sinek, introduces a simple yet powerful model for how leaders inspire action, using what he calls the “Golden Circle“, with the question “Why?” at its centre. In his talks, Sinek illustrates this concept with examples like Apple, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Wright brothers—contrasting their success with that of companies like TiVo, which struggled despite having a great product.

The Golden Circle framework consists of three layers: Why? How? and What? Successful leaders and organizations start with “Why”—their purpose, belief, or reason for existence—then move outward to “How” they achieve it, and “What” they offer as a result. Sinek explains that companies like Apple don’t just sell products; they first define themselves as innovators driven by a clear purpose. They communicate this “Why” in everything they do, which naturally draws in people who share their beliefs.

According to Sinek, understanding and communicating “Why” is the fundamental ingredient that attracts us to one another. It’s no surprise that we tend to align with people or groups who share the same “Why.” This deeper connection, rooted in shared values and beliefs, creates loyalty and inspires action far more effectively than simply focusing on the “What” or “How.”

Boet Pretorius, one of the first farmers to lose his land in Zimbabwe, shares his testimony of resilience and purpose. Before the unjust occupation of his 3,000-hectare farm, he was a successful farmer. Today, he oversees 30,000 hectares, dedicated to training small-scale farmers across Africa. Through this challenging journey, he discovered his true calling in fulfilling God’s mission for his life.

Harvester International Ministries founder, Apostle André Pelser, has visited one-hundred-and-twenty nations in obedience to a prophetic word and call he received as a 13-year-old son from Aunt Raper: “God will use you in other lands”.

How do you find your purpose?

Finding your purpose is often a lifelong journey. Even when you sense your calling, it becomes more refined and clearly defined as you walk closely with Jesus.

The Apostle Peter urges us to be intentional about confirming our calling: “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent in making your call and election sure, for if you do these things, you will never stumble.” (2 Pet. 1:10)

Your first and ultimate creational purpose is to be transformed into the image of Christ, living with the hope of glory. As Romans 8:29 declares: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren”.

The image of Christ reflects a lifestyle of holiness: “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! … so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness” (Rom. 6:15-20). Holiness is more than moral behavior; it is aligning our entire lives with God’s purpose.

As children of God, we are all sent as ambassadors, living testimonies to His glory. Jesus instructs us to “pray that the Lord will send laborers” (Matt. 10:2). You are someone’s answer to prayer, sent with a unique purpose.

Find a need and serve it. Jesus came to serve humanity. Serving your own family, a local church or a ministry unlocks your ministry. The word ministry implies servanthood. Interestingly, most children find their destiny in the occupations of their parents. This is the Jewish pattern. A parent who does not offer their children a vocation is seen as having abandoned them.

Just as figures like Cyrus, John the Baptist, and Jesus found their identity and mission in Scripture, we too can discover our calling within God’s Word. For example, I resonate deeply with Isaiah 58:12: “You will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.” This verse captures my mission and the work I feel called to do. Sometimes, it’s not a verse but a biblical character whose journey reflects your own. Perhaps you see yourself in Nehemiah rebuilding the walls, Moses leading through the wilderness, Amos as a prophet from humble beginnings, or Paul taking the gospel to distant lands. What Scripture or biblical figure speaks most deeply to your calling?

Consider the prophetic words spoken over your life. Ask your parents, siblings, or key figures from your early years if they remember any words or impressions about your future. Collect and meditate on these prophecies.

Ask those who know you well: What do they value most about your presence in their lives? What unique skill or gift do they admire in you? What impact do they believe you’ll be remembered for? These reflections often reveal insights into your purpose.

Consider the one skill or gift you possess that you know is distinctively yours. This uniqueness is often a significant clue to the role God has designed specifically for you.

Another powerful clue to your purpose is recognizing what deeply stirs your emotions. What cause or issue moves you to tears? What injustice or need tugs at your heart and makes you feel compelled to act? Often, your purpose aligns closely with the things that evoke your deepest emotions, pointing you toward areas where God wants to use you to bring change.

Remember, God has a unique purpose for each of us that reflects His kingdom’s beauty and diversity. Finding that purpose is both a journey and a discovery that unfolds as we walk with Him. “your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col 1:2)

^[1] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140707144749-8353952-the-one-word-answer-to-why-bill-gates-and-warren-buffett-have-been-so-successful/

^[2] Duhigg, C. (2014). The Power of Habit. New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks.