What is the Point of our Existence as Christians?

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

Colossians 3:1-4

LEARN

Who are you and what is the point of you existing? We can all think of the basics when it comes to who we are. There is our name, what we do for a living, where we live, our relationship status, how many kids we have, etc. Those are the little ways that we typically describe ourselves. As Christians, many of us know that the right answer would be to say something about being a child of God but if we are honest, our identity is far more rooted in what our status is on this earth and how it makes us feel.

Here is what the bible says about our identity and what we should be focused on. Colossians 3:1-4 says “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

All of the things we are looking for to fulfill our longings and desires can be found in Christ. The brokenness that we all experience in our lives happens when we try to find our satisfaction, security, and identity in anything other than God.

My Story

From a young age, I have desired to be beautiful, accepted, and recognized. There has never been a conscious time in my life that these desires have not been present. I didn’t find out that I had two huge idols in my life until I was in my 20’s. The number one idol that I worship is control and the other close second is approval. These two idols combined make for a powerful duo, one that has caused me to sin in countless ways, stunted my spiritual growth and hurt many people throughout the years. By God’s grace, I have found myself in a local Gospel-centered church that I have called my home for 5 years. In this time frame, I have received accountability and discipleship in these areas. This community helped me see my sin and in turn also helped support me as I aggressively went to war against these deep-rooted areas of idolatry. However, the war is not over. I still struggle daily, but God is winning my heart and I have hope in the finished work of Christ and his promises.

If you are anything like me and you struggle with putting your identity in worldly things, I want to encourage you to reflect and to ask yourself who the main character is in your life narrative. Our sole purpose on this earth is to make known Christ’s identity. He gave you your unique talents and abilities to show how glorious God is in a wicked and dark world. Those unique talents and abilities were never meant to be worshiped or compared. We were never supposed to seek our own identities outside of God and try to measure up on our own. It’s all about Him. It’s always been about Him.

Dr. Richard Lints, who serves as the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the main campus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, north of Boston says it best. “Idolatry is the honoring of things as ultimate which are not ultimate and which, therefore, reshape us after their own image.”

KNOW

1. Where does your hope lie?

2. What do you think gives you significance?

3. What do you really at heart desire to become?

DO

Your challenge this week is to journal about what area or areas you are placing your identity in apart from Christ. Write out verses that will remind you of the identity you have in Christ and place them throughout your house as a daily reminder.