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Love Identity & Purpose, Part 1
For centuries, people have been desperate to answer two questions: “Who I am?” and “Why am I alive?” I believe a third question is equally important: “Does anybody really love me?” People spend their lives searching for these answers about love, identity, and purpose. From the beginning of time, God knew this would be the case and made available everything we need in His Word.
In fact, in the very first chapter of the first book of the Bible, He addresses these issues:
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:26-28
This passage clearly states God’s original intent for every individual which is His plan for the human race. It speaks of the three important issues we all face: love, identity, and purpose. The fact that we are made in God’s image says we are loved, because God is love (read 1 John 4:16). He created us from love and for love. Being created according to His likeness tells us that we are not God and not “little gods,” but we are like God in that we can do certain things He does, for example, we can speak and we can create. Knowing we are created in God’s likeness gives us security and a deep sense of identity.
Genesis 1:26-28 tells us our purpose for living!
This passage also tells us our purpose for living: to “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion.” Another way to say this is that our purpose is to advance God’s Kingdom wherever we go. What does this look like?
“Be fruitful” means we are to take personal responsibility to be a follower of Christ. We are intentional about our walk with God and we bear much fruit (John15:4).
“Multiply” means refers to the family, both our natural family and our spiritual family. The family is the best way you can disciple others and be discipled. This is where you are cared for and learn to care for others. (Ephesians 5:22-6:4).
“Fill the earth” is the church realm where we are connected with other believers as the body of Christ to advance the Kingdom of God on earth. Each of us has a part in the body of Christ. We are not all the same, nor do we have the same function, but all are very important. If we aren’t connected to the body of Christ, we won’t function properly in our purpose (Acts 2:46-47).
“Subdue” is where we influence the marketplace with the Gospel of the Kingdom. As we work in a manner that reflects biblical principles and values, we make a difference to the people around us. As they see us respond in kindness to a difficult situation, they begin to wonder where we have the ability to respond that way. When we forgive someone, we demonstrate God’s love to others (Matthew 5:13-16).
“Dominion” reminds us that of God’s government there will be no end. We are to be good citizens on earth as we are ambassadors of Christ here. We are to be involved in our civil and federal governments by not only voting for the people in office that most closely reflect biblical values, but we are to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
If we can understand and embrace in our hearts the love of the Father, our identity in Christ and our purpose to advance God’s Kingdom, we will have the answers to life’s deepest and most pressing questions.
