What Must I Do to Fulfill the Purpose of God?

What is the purpose of God?

Blessed be the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Welcome as we study the words of life.

Many of us assume that unless God speaks directly—saying, “Do this or that”—then we cannot be sure we are fulfilling His purpose. But the truth is deeper. Every thought or intention, whether good or evil, still works within the framework of God’s divine plan.

For example, when Satan was filled with pride and desired to be like God (Isaiah 14:13–14), leading rebellion in heaven and later being cast down to earth, even in that rebellion he was still serving a role within God’s eternal purpose. God did not destroy him immediately, because Satan still had a role to play until the appointed time when he will finally be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).

Similarly, when Judas Iscariot conceived the idea of betraying Jesus, it was undoubtedly a wicked thought. Yet within it lay the perfect will of God—Christ had to be betrayed and crucified so that salvation could come to humanity (John 13:27, Matthew 26:24). The same principle is seen with Pharaoh’s hardened heart (Exodus 9:12), and even with Samson’s controversial choice to marry a Philistine woman, which ultimately furthered God’s plan against Israel’s enemies (Judges 14:4).

Assyria: God’s Instrument of Judgment
Let us consider another biblical example—Assyria.

Isaiah 10:5–6 (ESV) says:

“Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger; the staff in their hands is my fury! Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.”

Historically, Assyria was one of the three world superpowers of its time, alongside Egypt and Babylon—just as today we might think of America, Russia, and China. God raised Assyria to power so that He could use them to discipline Israel (the ten northern tribes), as well as many surrounding nations that worshiped idols.

Yet Isaiah 10:7 tells us:

“But he does not so intend, and his heart does not so think; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few.”

In other words, Assyria thought they were conquering nations for their own glory, wealth, and empire. But without realizing it, they were actually fulfilling God’s purpose. The same principle applied to Judas—when Jesus told him, “What you are going to do, do quickly” (John 13:27), it was because Judas’ evil intent would speed up the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.

How God Uses Ordinary People to Fulfill His Purposes
God still works this way today. Sometimes He uses even unbelievers to accomplish His plans. For example, if God intends to save a drunkard who seems beyond hope, He might first stir up a believer’s heart with a simple idea—“Go hand out gospel tracts at the bus station.”

The believer obeys, perhaps giving out only five tracts. One of those tracts ends up in the hands of an unbeliever, who reads it and discards it on a bus seat. Later, another person finds it, takes it home, and forgets it in a cupboard. Two years later, her alcoholic husband, weary of his sinful life, cries out, “God, if You love me, show me what to do!” At that very moment, he opens the cupboard, finds the tract, and through its message surrenders his life to Christ.

In heaven, it is recorded that the believer who handed out that tract fulfilled the purpose of God—even though he had no idea what God was doing behind the scenes.

This is why Scripture says:
Ecclesiastes 11:5–6 (NIV):

“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.”

The Call to Faithful Service
Our duty is to be faithful. If you are called to preach, then preach with diligence. If you are called to serve, then serve wholeheartedly. Do not worry about immediate results—how many people believed today, or how many souls were visibly saved. Just continue sowing faithfully, and God will fulfill His purposes through your obedience (1 Corinthians 3:6–7).

But take warning: if you live in wickedness—oppressing others, cheating, spreading disease intentionally, or living in rebellion—you may also unknowingly be used to fulfill God’s judgment against others. Yet just like Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, Judas, and even Satan, your end will be destruction unless you repent. Jesus said in Matthew 25:41 that the unrepentant will be cast into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Therefore, it is far better to repent now, to align your will with God’s will, and to consciously walk in obedience.

Conclusion
The lesson is simple: God’s purposes will always stand (Isaiah 46:10). Whether through willing vessels or unwilling ones, God fulfills His plan. The wise choice is to yield ourselves to Him, to think pure thoughts, and to live in a way that pleases Him, so that when our lives are weighed, we will be found as faithful servants rather than instruments of judgment.

Maranatha—Our Lord is coming soon!

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