For Whom and Through Whom

“You are precious in my eyes,
    and honored, and I love you…
Bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the end of the earth,
everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory,
    whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:4,6b-7

“For us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.” “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” 1 Corinthians 8:6; Romans 11:36; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:16

Paul, who’d been raised in the law and set free by the gospel, understood for Whom he’d been created. Every inch of his life up to his conversion had been deigned by his Maker as part of his story and would serve him in his new life of faith and ministry. A life driven by zeal for self had been transformed into one captivated by God Almighty and His purposes. From his crucifixion to Christ on the Damascus road forward, Paul no longer lived for himself but for his Savior, surrendered by faith to Christ living through him. (Acts 9:1-6,15-16; 17:24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Philippians 3:4-9)

We must establish the for whom to realize the necessity of through whom. Going about daily lives from shotgun start to exhausted finish, it’s easy to be all about our own thing. We report for duty, make plans, do chores, accomplish tasks, check lists, and can easily close the day without thought for our high purpose or spiritual mission. So much horizontal activity. After all, there are many responsibilities and wants and urgencies to tend to, so let’s just get them finished.

But we have been made for the Lord God and His glory, not ourselves and ours. He is preeminent above all gods, and to glorify Him is our chief end. When we believe that He is the One for whom we exist, we also recognize we’re not capable of honoring Him without living through Him and His power. In the flesh we may be willing, but we’re helpless against the foe of darkness without our whole will swallowed in the Lord’s, and our weakness enveloped in His strength. (Exodus 20:1-3; Matthew 26:41; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Ephesians 6:12; Philippians 2:13)

What needs reorienting in our understanding of purpose? How will we break out of provincial thinking and narrow ambition to attune to God’s high and holy call? Once we acknowledge we were made for eternity, and actions here below have significance in heaven above, will we endeavor with zeal to proceed in and through Him? (1 Corinthians 3:11-13; 2 Corinthians 5:1-2,10)

Lord, teach me daily to live for You, through You, and unto Your glory.