The Purpose in the Journey

2 Peter 1:3-4  “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

My son and I recently took a trip from Georgia to California. I was so very thankful for our GPS. I remember the days of taking a printed map and how much work it took to plan out a trip like this. Our GPS showed us each turn we had to take, the best places to stop for food and gas, and even some fun things to see along the way. On this 5 day journey, we visited places like Toad Lick, Arkansas, the Petrified Forest, the Grand Canyon, and the Cadilac Ranch. It was fun to experience things that I had only seen on TV or read about in books. This trip was so much more than just a destination, we truly enjoyed the journey!

Have you ever considered how the Christian life is like a journey? Our starting point is the day we place our faith in the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” On the other end of the road we are traveling is heaven. In some of the final words Paul wrote, he spoke of this destination when he told Timothy, “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Tim 4:18) Many times we focus on the day of our salvation (the starting point) and the promise of heaven (the destination) but we forget that there is a purpose in the journey.

Peter tells us that all of the things we need on this journey is found in the word of God. As we travel we are supposed to be growing in godliness as we become more like Christ. How do we do this? By using our GPS (God’s Word). Peter says that we have been given “all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” There are spiritual stops along the road that will help us experience the Christian Journey that God has for us.  Over the next few days, we will be taking a look at some of these as we learn how to become more like Christ on our road trip to heaven.

As we ReFocus our hearts and minds on Christ, let us remember that the Christian life is so much more than a destination. God has a purpose for our journey – that Christ be formed in us as we live a life of godliness for Him.

Jerry Bridges – godliness “is devotion to God which results in a life that is pleasing to Him.”