Destined and Shaped, Walking in Purpose

For it is just like a man who was about to take a journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his possessions.

To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and then he went on his journey. Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. And the one who had received the five talents came and brought him five more, saying, Master, you entrusted to me five talents. See, I have [made a profit and] gained five more talents. His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master. Also the one who had the two talents came forward, saying, Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have [made a profit and] gained two more talents. His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master. The one who had received one talent also came forward, saying, Master, I knew you to be a harsh and demanding man, reaping [the harvest] where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter seed. So I was afraid [to lose the talent], and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is your own. But his master answered him, You wicked, lazy servant, you knew that I reap [the harvest] where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter seed. So take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.

For to everyone who has [and values his blessings and gifts from God, and has used them wisely], more will be given, and [he will be richly supplied so that] he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have [because he has ignored or disregarded his blessings and gifts from God], even what he does have will be taken away. And throw out the worthless servant into the outer darkness; in that place [of grief and torment] there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger]. (Matthew 25:14-15,19-26,28-30,33) Every buried gift is likened to leaving the world in darkness. Our gift(s) and our calling is not to be buried or hidden, but to be used for the glory of God; His advancement, edification and upliftment of His glorious heavenly kingdom. For [even the whole] creation [all nature] waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed. (Romans 8:19) Souls are attached to our obedience, by reflecting His glory and light to a dark world.

For you [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified and] are all children of God [set apart for His purpose with full rights and privileges] through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)

Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life. (John 8:12) What fellowship can light have with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14) A child of God leads in the direction of His light and will, transforming minds in accordance with Christ's holy word; consistent with our life dedicated to Him. This is the message [of God's promised revelation] which we have heard from Him and now announce to you, that God is Light [He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness], and in Him there is no darkness at all [no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection].

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness [of sin], we lie and do not practice the truth;

but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. (1 John 1:5-7) By walking in the divine light, living each and every day in accordance with His holy word; it allows us to fully experience the eternal life promised by Him. The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive], your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts].

But if your eye is bad [spiritually blind], your whole body will be full of darkness [devoid of God’s precepts]. So if the [very] light inside you [your inner self, your heart, your conscience] is darkness, how great and terrible is that darkness! (Matthew 6:22-23) But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

Not that we are sufficiently qualified in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency and qualifications come from God. (2 Corinthians 3:5)

We can do all things [which He has called us to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers us [to fulfill His purpose—we are self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; we are ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses us with inner strength and confident peace.] (Philippians 4:13) He equips, enfuse and enables us to do all things through Him, He is the one who empowers us to do so.

Where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also. ( Matthew 6:21) A Christ- centered life is where our heart, foundation of faith and life is. It is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God [revealing His plan of salvation], and righteousness [making us acceptable to God], and sanctification [making us holy and setting us apart for God], and redemption [providing our ransom from the penalty for sin],

so then, as it is written [in Scripture], HE WHO BOASTS and GLORIES, LET HIM BOAST and GLORY IN THE LORD. (1 Corinthians 1:30-31) By Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him.

And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [He is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.] He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything. (Colossians 1:16-18) For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift]. (John 1:16)