In my previous posts on the purpose of the Christian life I have argued that the people of God are called to be God’s image bearers, that is, we are called to make God known.
In the final post of this series of blogs I wish to expand upon that thought. I must note that I think this is essential for the people of God to grasp! Before we jump into politics and the many plethora of social issues and concerns that evangelicals often banter about, we must understand our primary mission!
Simply put, the people of God are called to be the agents of God’s mission. God’s choosing us for salvation was not simply that we might be saved. Sure, that is a byproduct of knowing God. God choses us, however, so that we could participate in His mission.
As Richard Bauckham states, “God never singles out some for their own sake alone, but always for others.”[1]
This fact is clearly stated in 1st Peter 2:9: “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Peter says, we were chosen so that we might declare “the excellencies” of Him (NAU; ESV; cp “the virtues”: NET; “the praises”: NIV; “the goodness”: NLT; and, “mighty acts”: NRS). The different translations are all trying to bring out the nuance of the Greek word thaumastos. The primary meaning of thaumastos is “to being a cause of wonder or worthy of amazement, wonderful, remarkable, admirable.”[2]
What then is the purpose of the Christian life, to be God’s witnesses!
[1] Bauckham, Bible and Mission, 49.
[2] BDAG, 445.
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