Friend, this letter brings you a lesson of immeasurable importance; consider this carefully. As I have already told you, the foundation of Christianity is built upon our proper relation to God as our Creator. You must understand that you are not your own; you belong to God. You are a splendid jar of clay made with his very hands. He designed and formed you. And just as you are not your own, your purpose in this world is not your own; instead, it belongs to God. God’s purpose for you is your only ordained purpose. Your ordained purpose is the very reason you were created, and you were created to glorify God. You have but one objective in life: to please the Lord through praise and worship of him. God owes you nothing, but you owe him everything!
Therefore, do not seek anything other than the glory of God and his approval of you. Spend your time and energy in constant devotion to him, giving your whole life to his praise and glory, pressing through every difficulty in your path in faithful pursuit of fulfilling your purpose. Then, not only will you please God, but he will show you his pleasure, fill you with hope, and prosper you with Heavenly blessings. Friend, blessings on Earth are one thing, but those that await you in Heaven far exceed the riches of this world! Please, do not lust and labor for worldly treasures for your gratification today, for not one of them will sustain you. Only your Creator sustains you; he is worthy of your every effort, ceaseless praise, and undivided devotion.
This is a difficult teaching, but learn it you must. To glorify God, much is required of you. For example, you must always be willing to go to uncomfortable places or endure uncomfortable experiences if doing so brings credit and praise for the Lord. Never tolerate any avoidance of your purpose in yourself. Never self-indulge in any practice or opinion that is not agreeable to a holy God. Always be aware of every thought on your mind and the words coming from your mouth, and let both be an example to others of what a God-honoring life looks like. Take no credit for being a good person; do nothing for your praise and glory, for you cannot save yourself. Jesus, the manifestation of God in the flesh, has done that work for you. So instead, praise God that he holds you upright in his mighty and merciful hand.
I know it is tempting to think you know what is best for you and to imagine what will be your lasting legacy. But your legacy will not last, for all worldly things pass away and are forgotten over time. Only Heavenly things will endure. It is far better that your legacy be that you had the saving knowledge of Christ, as shown by your loyal, heartfelt obedience to his commands. Strive to know his commands and abide in them. They are quite simple: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Do that, and you will live forever.
Remember always that you are an image-bearer of the Almighty God. You were created to bring glory to him, to honor him, to praise his name, to thank him for his abundance in your life, and to praise him for his endless grace, the riches of his love, his splendor, and majesty as a God who is righteous and just. This is the very purpose of man – to glorify God in every way, all of the time. Go to him daily in reverence and awe and willfully submit to your purpose!
Again, Child of God, give glory to God in Christ and represent him well. Remember, your Father in Heaven wants to bless you, prosper you, and help you find joy in all his creation because he loves you. Where else might you find a love such as this! It is fitting, then, I think, to give yourself entirely to him and his plans for you in a spirit of thanksgiving and posture of obedience. If you agree, and I pray you do, labor for the Lord, making him known through your righteous words and deeds, and praise him in your thoughts and words. I encourage you as a friend and one who loves you to accept, embrace, and fulfill your purpose. Thanks be to God for all that you will accomplish in his name. Amen.
