For HIS name sake

October is our church's missions emphasis month and we have different missionaries come in and share their work with us. Also, the pastor (who happens to be my dad :)) always gives a series of messages about evangelism and witnessing. Last week, we covered the topic of the reason for evangelism. Why do we (or why should we) evangelize? There are many good answers to this question. We want people to get saved. We want to obey the Word of God. We want to have the thrilling experience of a missions trip. There is nothing wrong with any of these answers. In fact, they are good things to want. But, if those reasons are the ultimate reasons, we have missed the whole purpose of witnessing and evangelism. If all we look for is results, mere obedience, and adventure, we miss it.

The ultimate reason for mission and sharing the good news (and all of life) is for God's name to be glorified. It's all for His name sake. To spread His name through out the whole earth that He might be glorified and lifted up. That's the ultimate reason for evangelism.

As I thought through the message, I started to apply that truth to other parts of life. What is the reason, the supreme reason, why I do what I do in all of life? Because most of my time right now is spent studying for the Bible Bee, I especially asked, "Why am I studying for the National Bible Bee?" There are many, many possible reasons. I get to memorize hundreds of Bible verses. I get to do an in-depth study in the Bible. I increase in my knowledge of the Bible in general. I get to meet AMAZING friends :). I get to compete in an intense, thrilling competition. I have a chance to win lots of money.

....And the list could go on. None of those reasons are bad in and of themselves (some of them could be very self-focused, but they're not bad things to want in and of themselves). But none of those reasons should be ultimate. What?! You mean that studying the Bible and memorizing Scripture is not the ultimate reason? No, it's not. If our ultimate goal in participating in the Bible Bee is to know Scripture, then we've missed it.

The ultimate goal in all our of lives should be to glorify and exalt the Lord. The supreme reason to participate in the Bible Bee is for His name's sake. For the advancement of the kingdom of Christ. When we realize this, we get it. We get the purpose for all of life.

We all agree with this. We all know that life's purpose is for His name's sake. But do we live it? I'm really speaking to myself here. This week, I've been very convicted of shallow purposes that I have been living for. So many times, I do the Bible Bee. I study. And recite. And study and recite. And I loose sight of what really matters and get caught up in temporary things. I study because I want to know Scripture. That's great. But if that's my end goal, I haven't accomplished anything. I need to know Scripture for His name's sake. So that I can exalt and glorify His name through out all the earth. That's what really matters.

"For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, 'For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.'" Romans 9:17