Why Are You Still Alive?

If one were to ask a person in their local circle of relationship if they were saved I would assume many might answer, "yes."  Many people when discussing the Gospel with other people sadly just end the conversation there.  The next question should be "Ok, if you believe and trust in the Gospel, then why did God leave you on Earth and not take you to heaven right then?"  People are quick to answer "are you saved," however they are not quick to answer, "what is your purpose."  They are not quick to answer, however they do desire to know the answer. Think about it, EVERYBODY wants to their purpose in life.  So, why not ask it?  Do we even have the answer?  

What in the heck does Jesus leave us on Earth for?  We could say worship is the mere reason that God left us on Earth for, but we can worship in Heaven.  We could say it is fellowship  with other brothers and sister in Christ, however it seems we would have that in Heaven as well.  Please do not perceive that I think these things are bad or purposeful in our existence, but what I am concerned with right now is the main or central focus of Jesus leaving us Earth.  

So what it is?  It seems in the whole picture of the Bible that God redeems people not only for their glorification, but for the concentrated purposeful glorification of himself.  Which follows that God saves us to show off his glory and share his glory.  

^"3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 3:3) 

^"15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.^[a] 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them^[b] in the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world." (John 17:15-18) 

^"18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in^[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-19) 

From these text we clearly see God purpose for your life.  God does not desire for you to get saved, sit in your church pew, attend Sunday school, pray, and then die and go to heaven.  Did Christ die for you individually, yes! However, he also died for the sake His own name spread so that many others may know him, and they also glorify Him.  We must get out of our man-centered worldview and realize everything that exist was created for the purpose of worshiping God (Psalm 148).  This is a good thing and not a bad.  One pastor/theologian said, "We will never be completely satisfied until we are satisfied in Christ."  John Piper famously sloganed, "God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him."  God being God centered is a very good thing for us.  

So what is the center or main purpose of God saving you?  From the story of the Bible as whole we have to say. "To share and show God's glory among all people."  or how Jesus said it, "make disciples among all nations."  Which entails you share the Gospel with somebody that will share the Gospel, that will share the Gospel, that will share the Gospel!

The question now is, what are we doing with the amazing glory that has been graciously revealed to you?  This is not a obligation but an opportunity.  Let us realize that God is bigger that a ticket into heaven, but is a God that lovingly and graciously allows us to be apart of the redemptive mission that He planned before the beginning of the world. 

Be blessed