WHY ARE WE ON EARTH?

WHY ARE WE ON EARTH?

Here's how I see it. Chapter 8 of the Book of Romans has good news for born-again Christians. Among other things, it says we are children of God, joint heirs with Jesus. I was taught in church this is how we get all the things we want. Further, the Scripture says God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Great! More good stuff!

Spoiler alert! This is man's interpretation; it is not God's. God's purpose is for all people to receive eternal life and for all born-again Christians to be conformed to the image of Christ. This is living and walking in the Holy Spirit as Christ did on the earth! I don't know about you, but after 84 years of life I am still seeking to know God more and achieve His purpose on the earth.

We don't like to talk about this, but Romans 8:17 tells us that becoming joint heirs with Christ requires we share in His sufferings, i.e., suffering for righteousness's sake! This isn't just suffering for the trouble we have encountered in our lives that we have caused through unbelief and other sins, or the problem issues we have had in relationships with others. This is suffering for righteousness' sake, standing for the truth of God's Word in all circumstances, which the Bible tells us produces perseverance and character in us.

We receive the imputation of righteousness when we demonstrate faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This becomes how God sees us! Suffering can result in the Holy Spirit's impartation of righteousness, which is the rest of the story. This is the process of sanctification we undergo as we cooperate with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

We like to remember and often quote Romans 8:28, which says God always works for our good in all things. He "works" for our good. Common understanding is that this means God is always going to give us good things. The "good" he works for, however, is His purpose.

Earlier verses in Romans 8 tell us God has subjected all of creation to frustration awaiting the coming of the sons of God. What? I thought I became a child of God when I accepted Jesus. But if all creation (this includes humans!) awaits the coming of the sons of God, I must be missing something to become a "son" of God.

The truth is God's purpose is for my character to be like Jesus' character, to walk the earth as He did. To enable my walking in the righteousness given to me in Christ, God has ordained suffering and frustration to facilitate both the imputation and impartation of righteousness! Believe it or not! The Bible says the truth will set us free. When we have revelation of the truth of who God is in our hearts, we can receive His purpose and plans for us. God is love, and He is just! I saw a poster once that said the truth will set us free, but first it will make us miserable! There is no free ride!

This is my understanding of why we are on earth. What's yours? Make a comment here or on any of the articles on my blog at larryperrycpa.blogspot.com.