Making God’s Eternal Purpose a Reality on Earth
Introduction:
In our previous teachings on The Mandate, Part 1 & 2, we discovered that mankind was created in the image and likeness of God and that God’s purpose for humanity existed long before the foundations of the earth. We learned that God’s intention was never merely to create man, but to establish His Kingdom, express His nature, and reveal His glory through mankind.
Man lost the ability to live up to God’s purpose when Adam & Eve fell from grace through sin. They lost their relationship with God, His Kingdom, and worse, they came under a different master, Satan, and his kingdom l.
We also learnt that the Lord Jesus Christ is the pathway, pattern and enabler of the restoration of God’s image in man.
However, a crucial question remains:
How does God’s purpose become a reality on earth?
How do we move from understanding God’s plan to actually walking in it?
How do we fulfill the mandate God has entrusted to us?
This brings us to Part 3 of this series:
The Journey.
The journey is the process through which God’s purpose becomes visible in our lives, our families, the Church, and the nations of the earth.
Making God’s Eternal Purpose a Reality on Earth
Introduction:
In our previous teachings on The Mandate, Part 1 & 2, we discovered that mankind was created in the image and likeness of God and that God’s purpose for humanity existed long before the foundations of the earth. We learned that God’s intention was never merely to create man, but to establish His Kingdom, express His nature, and reveal His glory through mankind.
Man lost the ability to live up to God’s purpose when Adam & Eve fell from grace through sin. They lost their relationship with God, His Kingdom, and worse, they came under a different master, Satan, and his kingdom l.
We also learnt that the Lord Jesus Christ is the pathway, pattern and enabler of the restoration of God’s image in man.
However, a crucial question remains:
How does God’s purpose become a reality on earth?
How do we move from understanding God’s plan to actually walking in it?
How do we fulfill the mandate God has entrusted to us?
This brings us to Part 3 of this series:
The Journey.
The journey is the process through which God’s purpose becomes visible in our lives, our families, the Church, and the nations of the earth.
The Church Is the Light of the World and the Salt of the Earth
Jesus said:
“Ye are the salt of the earth…”
— Matthew 5:13
And again:
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.”
— Matthew 5:14
Salt preserves.
Salt influences.
Salt prevents corruption.
Light reveals.
Light guides.
Light exposes darkness.
Jesus did not say the Church should hide from the world.
He said the Church should influence the world.
The problem in many nations today is not simply the presence of darkness.
The greater problem is the absence of light.
Whenever the Church fails to shine, darkness advances.
Whenever believers lose their spiritual influence, corruption increases.
God’s answer to a corrupt society is a transformed Church.
The Light Came Into the World
The Gospel of John begins with a profound revelation:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
— John 1:1
John continues:
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
— John 1:4-5
Jesus Christ is the Light.
Where Christ is absent, darkness prevails.
Where Christ is rejected, confusion reigns.
Where Christ is embraced, transformation begins.
The journey of fulfilling God’s mandate begins by allowing Christ to become the center of our lives.
A nation cannot experience lasting change if its people remain disconnected from the source of light.
Why Is Corruption So Much in the Systems of the World?
This is one of the most important questions facing our generation.
Why do corruption, injustice, greed, oppression, and immorality continue to increase?
The answer is found in the spiritual condition of humanity.
The system of the world reflects the condition of the hearts that operate within it.
Jesus said:
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts…”
— Matthew 15:19
Corruption is not merely a political problem.
It is a spiritual problem.
The systems become corrupt because the people operating them are corrupt.
This is why legislation alone cannot solve humanity’s deepest problems.
Only transformation through Christ can.
When hearts change, systems change.
When people change, nations change.
When believers live according to God’s purpose, society experiences the influence of God’s Kingdom.
We Pray for Nigeria to Change, But Are We Changing?
Every day, many believers pray:
“Lord, change Nigeria.”
“Lord, heal our nation.”
“Lord, transform our leaders.”
These are good prayers.
But there is another question we must ask:
Are we allowing God to change us?
Many people desire national transformation without personal transformation.
Many want righteous leaders while refusing to walk in righteousness themselves.
Revival begins with God’s people.
The transformation of a nation begins in the hearts of individuals.
If we desire a different Nigeria, we must become different people.
If we desire honest leadership, we must embrace honesty.
If we desire justice, we must practice justice.
If we desire righteousness in government, we must walk in righteousness ourselves.
National transformation begins with personal obedience.
What Is God’s Plan, Purpose, and Mandate for Mankind?
God’s purpose has remained consistent throughout Scripture.
God created mankind to:
- Reflect His image.
- Represent His Kingdom.
- Exercise righteous dominion.
- Establish His will on earth.
- Reveal His glory to creation.
God’s intention was never merely to populate the earth.
His intention was to fill the earth with people who reflected His nature.
This is why Genesis 1:26 says:
“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”
God’s purpose is that humanity would reveal what God is like.
Sin Empowers Satan to Establish His Plans
One of the greatest dangers facing mankind is the power of sin.
Sin separates man from God.
Sin distorts God’s image within humanity.
Sin creates opportunities for Satan to establish his agenda.
The enemy’s strategy has always been the same:
To separate mankind from God.
To distort truth.
To promote rebellion.
To oppose God’s purpose.
Whenever sin dominates a society, darkness gains influence.
Whenever righteousness declines, Satan’s agenda advances.
This is why repentance is essential.
Revival begins when people return to God.
God Wants Us to Prosper, Be Blessed, and Walk in Dominion
Some believers mistakenly think that God’s purpose excludes prosperity and blessing.
This is not true.
God delights in blessing His people.
God desires His children to flourish.
God desires His people to prosper in every area of life.
3 John 2 says:
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
God’s blessing, however, is connected to purpose.
Prosperity is not the goal.
Purpose is the goal.
Blessing is a tool that enables us to fulfill God’s assignment.
God gives resources so that His Kingdom can advance.
God grants influence so that His glory can be revealed.
God establishes people so they can impact others.
Seek First the Kingdom
Jesus made a remarkable statement:
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
— Matthew 6:33
Notice what Jesus did not say.
He did not say to pursue things first.
He did not say chase wealth first.
He did not say seek comfort first.
He said, ” Seek God’s Kingdom first.
When God’s Kingdom becomes our priority, God takes responsibility for the things we need.
The believer’s primary pursuit must always be God’s purpose.
Everything else follows.
How Does the Journey Become a Reality?
The journey becomes a reality when we:
Know God Personally
Purpose begins with a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Jesus is not one of many ways to God. He is the Way.
He is the beginning of the New Creation: the Last Adam, God’s instrument to repopulate the earth with people after His own image.
You cannot represent a God you do not know.
Renew Our Minds
God transforms our thinking through His Word. I need to be clear about this. All Scripture is God-breathed, useful, and profitable for us. But in the context of the new creation m, it is the words of Jesus that provide our primary mind retooling capacity.
Paul said.
Let the Word of Christ dwell richly in you in all wisdom.Col.3:16
The Holy Spirit works through this word to conform us to the image of Christ. 2 Cor. 3:18
Walk in Obedience
Purpose is fulfilled through obedience.
The Lord Jesus said, If you know these things, you are blessed when you do them. John 13:17
Remain Focused on Christ
The Christian journey is not sustained by human effort but by continual dependence upon Jesus.
This dependence is aided by the Holy Spirit on a daily basis.
I love this word.
As you have received Christ, so walk in him, rooted and grounded in love, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Col.2:6
Become Kingdom Ambassadors
Every believer is called to represent Christ in daily life. This is the heart of our apostolic call.
As the Father has sent me, so send I you. John 20:21
A Personal Prayer from Apts. Tonye Oliver
One prayer I continually pray is this:
“Father, You created us in Your image and according to Your likeness. Let Your original plan for my life prevail over every contrary plan of the enemy. Let Your purpose work in me, through me, and around me. Let Your Kingdom be revealed in my family, my ministry, my children, and my generation. Grant me the grace to walk in Your will, fulfill Your assignment, and finish my course with joy. May my life bring glory to Your name and advance Your purpose on the earth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Satan’s Strategy: To Turn Our Eyes Away from Christ
The enemy understands something many believers forget.
As long as our eyes remain fixed on Jesus, we continue to grow, overcome, and fulfill God’s purpose.
Therefore, Satan’s strategy is simple:
Distract believers from Christ.
Shift their focus from purpose to possessions.
Shift their focus from God’s Kingdom to worldly pursuits.
Shift their focus from eternity to temporary things.
But Hebrews 12:2 instructs us:
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
Our strength is found in Christ.
Our purpose is found in Christ.
Our destiny is found in Christ.
Our victory is found in Christ.
Conclusion
The journey of fulfilling God’s mandate is not merely about personal success.
It is about becoming what God intended from the beginning.
God created mankind in His image.
God called mankind to represent Him.
God desires nations transformed through His people.
God desires His Church to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
The journey becomes reality when we fix our eyes on Christ, embrace God’s purpose, reject the enemy’s distractions, and faithfully advance God’s Kingdom in our generation.
May we become the people God intended us to be.
May our lives reveal His glory.
May our families reflect His purpose.
May our churches shine His light.
And may our nations experience His transformation.
The Mandate continues. The Journey is now.
Shalom.
Apts. Tonye Oliver
International Network of Apostolic Voices (INAV)