We were created to glorify God.  “Each person is given something to do that shows who God is.”  I Corinthians 12:11 (Message Translation)  The reward for fulfilling your purpose is great; however, there are consequences for falling short of the mark.

We all play a different role in fulfilling the purpose for which the human race was created.  Since the body is to be fitly joined together, we were all created for each other.  Our true purpose cannot be found apart from serving people and serving with other people.  Living outside of your purpose either creates a void or a deformity.  “Now matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are part of.  An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn’t be a body, but a monster.”  I Corinthians 12:19 (Message Translation)

I Corinthians 12:25-26 best describes the consequences of failing or refusing to serve our purpose.  “The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t.  If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing.  If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.”  (Message Translation)  What this passage teaches us is that if we’re out of place, we affect everyone else in the body of Christ.

Another consequence of falling short of your purpose is reflected in eternity.  “The lines of purpose in your lives never grow slack, tightly tied as they are to your future in heaven, kept taut by hope.”  Colossians 1:5 (Message Translation)  In this passage Paul is commending the Colossians for their steady faith in Christ and their act of love that he’d been hearing about.  What stood out for me was the clear indication that living your purpose has eternal significance.  So let’s look a little deeper.

The Bible states in I Corinthians 3:13-15 that our works will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ.  “…the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”  (NIV)  In other words, if what you did here on earth doesn’t withstand Christ’s judgment, you will barely slide into heaven.  Everything you did while you were on earth will mean nothing.

Here’s what’s so important about living your purpose, you will not be judged according to what you did, but by what you were called to do (your purpose).  So even if you’re doing something “good” if it’s not what God created you to do, it will be burned up at the judgment seat.

So, how about you, are you living your purpose?