My Purpose Driven Life

Christians will often refer to a specific scripture as being their “life verse.” A life verse is a Bible passage that the Holy Spirit especially impresses on a Christian’s heart. It defines how they live their life, how they walk in their faith, how they view the scriptures and how they make decisions each day.

Ezra 7:10 is my life verse, “For Ezra had directed his heart to seek the law of Yehovah and to do it, and to teach in Israel the statutes and the ordinances.”

Note that Ezra makes a purposeful commitment to do three things — “he directed his heart.” This is the same concept as the agape love described in the New Testament. The definition of agape love is a “discriminating affection which involves choice and selection.” As Christians, we choose to believe in Jesus and to live “through Christ” (1 John 4:9) instead of following our sin nature (Romans 6:12).

Ezra’s first commitment is to study diligently the scriptures. Paul encourages Christians to do the same, “Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). We study scripture because, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). We must know the Word before we can apply it or teach it.

Ezra’s second commitment was to obey what he learned in his study. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15). James challenges Christians to, “prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves” (James 1:22). Paul warned the Christians in Rome, “for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers” (Romans 2:13). Our lives must be consistent with Biblical teaching if we are going to be effective witness for Jesus.

Ezra’s final commitment was to teach others what he had learned and was applying in his life. God told Israel, “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:6). Please note, our primary responsibility is to instruct our family.

Jesus directs us as his disciples that as we live each day we are to, “make disciples of all the nations … teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Note, we are called on to make disciples, not only to bring the lost to salvation.

I pray that you will also commit yourself to these three practices. Studying, applying and teaching the Word of God will please our heavenly Father, will give you an abundant and fulfilled life and will change your family and the world around you. Can you think of a better way to live your life?