Purpose

In the biblical context, "purpose" refers to the divine intention or plan that God has for His creation and for individuals. The concept of purpose is deeply rooted in the understanding that God is sovereign and has a specific plan for the world and for each person. This is evident in various passages throughout the Bible.

One of the most cited verses regarding purpose is found in the book of Jeremiah: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). This verse highlights God's intentional design and benevolent plans for His people, emphasizing that His purposes are for their ultimate good.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to the idea of divine purpose in Romans 8:28: "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose" . Here, Paul reassures believers that God's overarching purpose is at work in every circumstance, aligning with His will and the good of those who are committed to Him.

In Ephesians 2:10, Paul further elaborates on the purpose of believers: "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life" . This passage underscores the idea that believers are crafted by God for specific tasks and roles, which He has preordained.

Mission

The concept of "mission" in the Bible is closely related to the Great Commission, which is the charge given by Jesus to His disciples to spread the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. This mission is foundational to the Christian faith and is articulated in Matthew 28:19-20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" .

The mission of the Church and individual believers is to be witnesses of Christ's love and salvation. Acts 1:8 captures this mandate: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" . This verse highlights the empowerment by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the mission of spreading the Gospel.

The mission is not only about evangelism but also about living out the values of the Kingdom of God. In Micah 6:8, the prophet outlines what God requires: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" . This reflects the mission of embodying God's justice, mercy, and humility in daily life.

The mission of believers is also to serve as ambassadors for Christ, as Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:20: "Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God" . This role involves representing Christ and His message of reconciliation to the world.

In summary, the biblical concepts of purpose and mission are intertwined, with purpose providing the divine framework and mission being the active pursuit of God's will on earth. Believers are called to understand their God-given purpose and to engage in the mission of spreading the Gospel and living out the principles of God's Kingdom.