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In our last blog post, we explored the opposing agendas for your life. God initiated your salvation, and as such, He has a plan for you to prosper in a way that will honor and glorify Him. However, Satan is immediately and continually aware of your decision to accept and follow Jesus Christ as your Savior and he has an opposing agenda designed to make you ineffective as a foot soldier for the Lord.
God has a purpose for your life. As your loving Creator and Heavenly Father, that purpose is designed for good. Specifically, it is designed for three main objectives.
To bring glory to God (Father, Son & Holy Spirit)
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. (John 17:3-4)
To enjoy an intimate fellowship with God (temporally & eternally)
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139)
To share the Gospel with others while on this earth (The Great Commission)
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)
At risk of redefining your interpretation of God, allow me to make a bold statement and subsequently defend my understanding of scripture with the best defense available – additional scripture. God wants you to be victorious in this battle! That is His agenda for you. It is a message confirmed throughout the Bible and clearly illustrated in the scripture verses to follow. We will begin with, 3 John 2, as it is perhaps the most clear and concise summary of God’s intent for His beloved.
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (King James)
In his third letter, John opens with the above greeting to his dear friend, Gaius (“whom I love in the truth”). While this is clearly a letter written from one friend to another, I believe this can also be interpreted as God’s universal agenda for all His beloved in Christ (whom He also loves in the truth). To illustrate this point, we are reminded of scripture found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Physical Training vs. Spiritual Training
In the spirit of teaching, there are important considerations when referencing 3 John 2. If you have never been able to appropriate that verse for your life, please pay close attention to what the Bible tells us. But before we go any further, let me share the following.
If this comes across as being a bit self-centered, think about it this way; if you are, or intend to be a parent someday, would your agenda for your children be any different?
When people first read this verse, there is a tendency to focus only on financial prosperity, but please hear me, I am not in any way promoting a health, wealth, and prosperity gospel. Yes, finances are included, but God intends for you to prosper in all areas of your life that bring honor and glory to Him (ministry, marriage, parenting, professionally, etc.). Note – trusting God with your finances in the form of tithing and other ministry support affirms your faith in His promises and in so doing, honors Him. It is also one of the most tangible ways to experience God’s blessings in your life. (For reference see Malachi 3:6-12)
Do not confuse this promise of blessing with a “works for salvation” proposition. You are saved by grace, not by works. However, God’s word is complete with a desire to bless those who honor him. As Christians, our “works” should be done because of our faith in Jesus Christ.
In the original Greek language, the word used for health is, ὑγιής, ές, which translated in the English alphabet is hugiés (pronounced ‘hoog-ee-ace'). It means to be well in body and sound in doctrine. Therefore, it has both a physical and spiritual relevance to our lives. Maintaining a strong, healthy body is important to God, but it is not God’s first objective for His children, godliness holds that priority.
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:8-9, 16)
If we can agree on the points above, then to best understand John’s message, we first need to focus on the importance of the comma (‘comma‘ even as your soul prospers.) You see, your soul prosperity is a prerequisite for the other desires that God outlines for you in this verse. Feeding your soul (daily Bible study, fervent prayer, regular church attendance and Christian fellowship) will open the channel of blessing in your life.
Spiritual maturity affords greater responsibility
Spiritual maturity affords greater responsibility as well as greater opportunity to serve. Why wouldn’t God bless someone more willing and capable of serving and bringing honor to Him? Not only does this verse confirm God’s desire to bless his people, but there are countless other verses that also support the prerequisite for blessing which is soul prosperity and obedience. I’ve included one example below.
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)
According to these scripture references, God’s agenda for your life is victory through a passionate, determined, and intimate relationship with Him (“I will be their God and they will be my people.” - Jeremiah 31:33). When taken in total, is there any doubt that God wants you to triumph over defeat? Additionally, is there any reason why you would not pursue God’s victorious plan for your life?
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