Your Purpose in Christ: Serving, Suffering, and Growing to Build God’s Kingdom
- Jack Selcher
- Sep 22, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Summary
Believers are called to use their gifts to build God’s kingdom, even when that involves suffering. Like Paul, Christians fulfill their purpose by lifting Christ through teaching, prayer, perseverance, and Christlike living. True maturity flows from deep roots in Christ, sustained by Scripture and gratitude. Although demanding, these callings yield lasting joy and profound contentment as God works through faithful service.
Your Purpose in Christ
Your purpose is more than unwrapping and enjoying God’s gifts. You are on earth to use those gifts to build His kingdom. That invariably requires suffering.
Suffering and Joy in Proclaiming Christ
Suffering accompanies the proclamation of Christ’s finished work on the cross. It is inescapable. Yet, it brings joy (Colossians 1:24).
Lifting Christ Through Teaching and Admonition
Your purpose is to lift Christ. Paul did. He did not communicate a collection of rules and regulations or condemn people for their sins. He lifted Christ who lived in Him. There are many ways to do that.
You lift Christ by admonishing and teaching. Admonishing awakens people to their need for Christ. Teaching strengthens Jesus’ followers to develop a mature faith and Christ-like character.
Maturity and Christlike Living
Mature Christians do not walk on water, but they do walk in God’s ways. They talk about Jesus. They attract others because of their Christlikeness.
Paul always gave 100 percent. He exerted all his strength in wearisome toil (Colossians 1:29). The results were astounding.
Do you see yourself as weak, puny, and unproductive in Christ’s service? Please release those feelings of inadequacy.
Serving with God’s Strength, Not Your Own
Put your whole heart into serving Christ. Trust Him to do through you what you cannot do by yourself.
The Hard Work of Prayer
Your purpose is to pray. Paul worked at prayer. It is hard.
Too often, I ask for a costly gift for others with a minuteman prayer that costs me little. Paul worked at it.
His prayers comforted, affirmed, challenged, and strengthened the Colossian believers so they would be united in love. The church still needs such prayer.
Growing Deep Roots in Christ
Being united in love produces conviction and a deep knowledge of Christ. He is God’s treasure chest of wisdom and knowledge.
Diligently searching the Scriptures instills a deep knowledge of who Jesus is, what He has done, and what is available to you in Him.
Your purpose is to urge others to remain true to Christ. Like the Colossians, you must continuously live in Christ. He is enough to save and empower you to bear much fruit as you serve others.
Living with Thanksgiving and Shared Responsibility
Put your roots down and draw nourishment from Him. You will grow strong and vigorous in the truth.
Urge others to overflow with thanksgiving as a way of life. Model it yourself (Colossians 2:6-7).
God’s plan is too big for one person or a small group. Carry your share of the load for the glory of God.
Joy and Contentment in God’s Calling
That’s your purpose. Fulfilling it brings joy and ocean-deep contentment—despite suffering. See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.
God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 7,590 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 17,681 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.
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