June 6

For This Very Purpose

"Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." 1 Cor. 5:5

God has made us for this very purpose. What is the purpose for which we have been made? The transformation work is what Paul is here speaking of. It is the reason we are still here. There is work to be done in our lives: the work of changing us from the inside out, that we might become more Christlike. The Holy Spirit has been poured out on us by our risen Savior. The benefits of the work that Christ has done are applied to our hearts and are bringing about the transformation that is necessary. All this makes the resurrection power a reality in our daily lives. The Holy Spirit is the power that was used to raise Jesus and it that same amazing power that is used to work in our lives. We are thereby guaranteed that this transformation into the likeness of Christ will be a reality. What he has begun he is faithful to complete. That is a promise we can hold on to.

Father in heaven, how thankful we are that you have taken our aimless life and given us a purpose, a glorious purpose! Help us to submit ourselves to your Holy Spirit that we might be made into the very image of your Son. We thank you, LORD, for the guarantee that this purpose will be accomplished through your power, not our own. Work in us, change us and make us like Jesus. Accomplish in us your purpose today. Amen