Nonetheless the LORD said to Jehu, “You have done well in following my instructions to destroy the family of Ahab. Therefore, your descendants will be kings of Israel down to the fourth generation.” But Jehu did not obey the Law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit. [2 Kings 10.30-31]
Here is a perfect example of the difference between 'direction' and 'purpose' as it pertains to the Kingdom of God.
Jehu followed the right direction, but his heart was not dedicated to God's purpose.
Jehu looked good on the outside - he followed his direction with excellence. But inside, those sins of Jeroboam (in my opinion, very likely twisted sexual sins) remained in his heart and contaminated God's purpose in Jehu's life.
If in life all we are looking for is direction, we are missing the point. If, on the other hand, we will seek God's purpose for our lives (the Kingdom of God), then direction will come naturally.
But seeking first the Kingdom of God means a change of heart. It means a change of priority. It means looking at others instead of looking in the mirror. It means putting others' needs and concerns above our own. It means following in Jesus' footsteps, not just in deed, but in motivation.
I guess direction deals with compliance. Compliance usually comes with subsequent results. Following God's direction is indeed good, but if our motivation for following God's direction is for what's in it for us, then we are lacking!
God's purpose deals with our motivation. If our motivation is for what's in it for the Kingdom of God, then we have tapped into our true purpose as Jesus Christ so perfectly demonstrated in His Advent to earth. Purpose had to do with what we were designed for - what every single fiber of our being exists to do for the Kingdom of God. Purpose has to do with who we are, not what we do.
So, we must ask ourselves, "Which is most important, direction or purpose?" The obvious answer should be "purpose." But that answer requires a genuinely changed heart - that change is something only God's Holy Spirit can do.
Father, please help me to take a real look at my life and motivation. Change me - change my heart - to be motivated by Your Kingdom in me.
If in life all we are looking for is direction, we are missing the point. If, on the other hand, we will seek God's purpose for our lives (the Kingdom of God), then direction will come naturally.
But seeking first the Kingdom of God means a change of heart. It means a change of priority. It means looking at others instead of looking in the mirror. It means putting others' needs and concerns above our own. It means following in Jesus' footsteps, not just in deed, but in motivation.
I guess direction deals with compliance. Compliance usually comes with subsequent results. Following God's direction is indeed good, but if our motivation for following God's direction is for what's in it for us, then we are lacking!
God's purpose deals with our motivation. If our motivation is for what's in it for the Kingdom of God, then we have tapped into our true purpose as Jesus Christ so perfectly demonstrated in His Advent to earth. Purpose had to do with what we were designed for - what every single fiber of our being exists to do for the Kingdom of God. Purpose has to do with who we are, not what we do.
So, we must ask ourselves, "Which is most important, direction or purpose?" The obvious answer should be "purpose." But that answer requires a genuinely changed heart - that change is something only God's Holy Spirit can do.
Father, please help me to take a real look at my life and motivation. Change me - change my heart - to be motivated by Your Kingdom in me.
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