Our Life’s Purpose as followers of Jesus as Christians is to “Do & Be like Jesus & his true followers”, since Jesus is the Son of God and is like God the Father in character, as the Holy Spirit guides all believers who diligently seek him, his face, and his Kingdom.
Colossians 2:1-4 (ESV): For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.
[Click this link at Do-Be-Do-Be-Do like Jesus PDF for PDF Version of above Visual]
How can our Christian Life Purpose be planned and purposed more deliberately & effectively?
Recently learned about another way to approach goal setting, which originates with a “To Be List” which is then used to drive a “To Do List“. Special thanks to Chip Ingram’s series on Balancing Life’s Demands at http://livingontheedge.org/group-studies/browse-all-studies/balancing-life’s-demands for presenting the approach of a “To Be List”. The Balancing Life’s Demands Bible Study also goes over items like rewarding yourself, who/ what/ where you want to be, and many additional useful materials.
The “To Be List” driving a “To Do List” fits right into the goal to “Be & Do” like Jesus and his true followers. The idea of a “To Be List” is to describe a characteristic and/or role. Illustrations of a “To Be List” includes includes:
- Relational Roles like being a great friend, parent, spouse, pastor, and role model.
- Roles & Responsibilities like being a great leader, follower, researcher, scientist, employee, writer, and more.
- Character Qualities like Ethical, Thankful, Grateful, Compassionate, Patient, Considerate, etc.
- Physical Characteristics like being in shape, healthy, muscular, and more.
All of these “To Be Lists” would first & foremost be consistent with the goal of Doing & Being like Jesus and his true followers. The illustrative chart included here can be used to get you started, while keeping the context in mind too. Just like a “To Do List” can be used to drive your calendar, so the “To Be List” can be used to schedule focused time.
[Click link at To Be & To Do like Jesus List PDF for PDF Version of above Visual]
As an example, “To Be” a “Great Parent” likely will involve a series of “To Do” items like “Spending Time Together”, “Learning & Applying Appropriate Techniques”, and “Instructing the Heart”. While only 3 “To Do’s” Fit on the upper portion of the chart to the left, feel free to add many more as appropriate, and even to use the bottom chart portion for additional “To Do’s” for the same “To Be’s”.
As people, besides knowing what we need to do & to be, we also need to know what not to do & not to be, to help keep us on the right path. The Ten Commandments that God gave to the Israelites served that purpose in providing concrete guidance on staying on the right path. Jesus also further clarified the Ten Commandments.
Matthew 5:21-22 (ESV): 21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fireMatthew 5:27-28 (ESV): 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
[Click link at To Be & Not To Be like Jesus List PDF for PDF Version of above Visual]
Here is an example to illustrate this concept further on being a “Great Parent”. One attribute on the “To Do List” was “Spending Time Together”. Part of spending time together could include being in the same room while your children play & work. You might be able to do this on several occasions and also get a few more things done like cleaning periodically when your children are younger. In contrast, a “Not Do List” could include “not time only” with your children, so that you’d set aside effort to talk & be more interactive with your children, so that being together goes beyond quantity to also high quality.
As people are complex and multifaceted, you will have many items to examine on your “To Be List” and “To Do List” and also on your “Not To Be List” and “Not To Do Lists” than illustrated here to provide the gist of the concept. As you read the Bible, perhaps at sites like http://Bible.Is and/or http://BibleGateway.com, you will see there are many “To Be Lists” and “To Do Lists,” as well as “Not To Be Lists” and “Not To Do Lists” as well.
Speak up if there is anything more you’d like to share to link Our Life’s Purpose in Christ to Our Life’s Plan in this World!
Next Steps:
To learn more what it means to Do & Be like Jesus, read the original article entitled “Do-Be-Do-Be-Do Like Jesus“.
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