BELIEFS THAT MATTER:

Salvation, Gratitude and What it Means to be Purpose-Driven

What It Means to Be Purpose-Driven

In my journey of faith and understanding what I believe, one of the most profound realizations I’ve come to is that living with purpose is not merely about setting goals or seeking fulfillment—it’s rooted in the recognition that there is something far greater than myself: an intelligent being that I call God. God, by choice, intentionally breathed life into me. This divine breath sustains not only my physical existence but also my spiritual existence, and fundamentally, that spiritual breath I believe is the gift of divine salvation.

This gift, freely given as an act of pure love by God’s grace, is based solely on His sovereign will. It is independent of anything I have done or could ever do. The truth that God chose to save me, in the same way that someone might revive a lifeless body through CPR, shapes everything I do. My life is a response to this divine act of grace, and in this post, I want to share what it means for me to live with purpose in light of God's saving grace.

Salvation and the Sovereignty of God

Being purpose-driven begins with the profound recognition that my life is not my own—it was given to me by God, who breathed both physical and spiritual life into me. This life, particularly the spiritual life, is a direct result of God's sovereign choice to offer me salvation through His grace. God’s act of grace in saving me is something I could never have initiated or earned on my own; it was entirely His choice, a gift beyond my comprehension.

This understanding of salvation as a gift influences every aspect of my life. It compels me to live with intentionality, knowing that my life has meaning because God willed it to be so. His choice to save me is not only a display of His love but also a call to live in a way that reflects that love.

Living a Life of Intentional Gratitude

In response to God’s choice to save me, I am compelled—out of reverence and gratitude—to live my life intentionally, not out of habit or routine. This means that I strive to take captive every thought and action, ensuring that they reflect the values that Jesus demonstrated during His time on earth. These values—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—serve as a guide for how I try to live each day.

Living with purpose, then, is about making deliberate choices that honor the salvation I have already received. It’s not about trying to earn God’s favor through good deeds but responding to the grace that has already been given. I live intentionally because I am grateful for God’s saving grace, and I want my life to reflect that gratitude in every possible way.

Sanctification: Working Out My Salvation

I believe that living a purpose-driven life is also about sanctification, the ongoing process of "working out my salvation" (Philippians 2:12-13). This process is not about earning salvation; rather, it’s about living out the implications of the salvation I have already received. Sanctification is the transformation that takes place in my life as I respond to God’s grace, striving to live in a way that reflects the love and example of Jesus Christ.

Jesus, who I believe is God’s Son, demonstrated the perfect way to live a life that honors God. His life was characterized by compassion, humility, and a deep sense of purpose, and I believe that as I grow in my faith, I am called to follow that example. Sanctification is an ongoing journey, a process that shapes me more and more into the person God created me to be.

Purpose-Driven Doesn’t Mean Perfect

One thing I’ve learned is that being purpose-driven doesn’t mean being perfect. It’s easy to feel like we have to get everything right, but that’s not the case. Instead, it’s about committing to the process of growth, recognizing that mistakes will happen but that God’s grace is always present. When I fall short, I remind myself that I am still on the path of sanctification, still working out the salvation that God has already given me.

This understanding allows me to approach life with a sense of peace, knowing that my purpose is not contingent on my perfection but on my willingness to respond to God’s grace each day.

Divine Guidance and Purpose

A purpose-driven life is one that is guided by God. I don’t believe that I am responsible for figuring everything out on my own. Instead, I rely on God's guidance—through prayer, scripture, and the still small voice that directs me along the way. By seeking divine guidance, I can be confident that the decisions I make and the paths I take are in alignment with God’s will for my life.

This doesn’t mean that challenges disappear, but it does mean that I walk through life with a sense of peace, knowing that God is leading me. The purpose I live with is not of my own creation, but a response to the calling that God has placed on my life.

Why Purpose Matters

So why does living with purpose matter? For me, living with purpose is a response to the profound truth that God chose to save me out of His grace. My life is not just about getting through the day or achieving personal success—it’s about living in a way that reflects the love, grace, and salvation I have received from God.

Living with purpose gives me direction, not only in the big decisions but also in the small, everyday moments. It reminds me that every action, every choice, is an opportunity to live out the grace that I have been given. It’s about using the life that God has breathed into me to serve Him and others, in gratitude for the salvation I have received.

Conclusion

Being purpose-driven is not about perfection or earning God’s favor—it’s about responding to the grace that has already been given to me. It’s about living with intention, guided by God’s love and grace, and striving to reflect the values that Jesus demonstrated. As I continue on this journey, I am reminded that my purpose is not self-created, but rooted in the divine plan that God has for my life. Living with purpose is a daily response to the gift of salvation, and it’s what drives me to live each day with gratitude, love, and intentionality.

OTHER ARTICLES IN THIS SERIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING POSTS: