The “bull’s eye” may not be hit by the rifleman whose hand is uncertain, and his footing infirm.The goal will never be reached by the runner who swerves from a straight course, and wanders into a pathless wilderness.The student will accomplish nothing who flies from study to study with the restlessness of disease; and no man, whatever his condition or mental powers, will win or deserve success, unless he fixes upon some special object to be carried out, and through cloud and sunshine steadily perseveres in his settled purpose.
Purpose, indeed, is the very essence the main element of a heroic character.It was purpose which animated Ignatius Loyola in his ascetic labors; in persecution, and captivity, and physical suffering, still toiling at the fulfillment of his cherished design, the establishment of that “Society of Jesus,” whose influence on the world’s history has been so signal and remarkable.Martin Luther’s purpose” achieved the Reformation.Oliver Cromwell’s purpose” turned the tide of battle at Naseby, and placed him in the seat of the English Kings.Mahoney’s “purpose” built up a mighty empire and fixed the firm foundations of a new creed.Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “purpose” was to build a powerful non violent movement and bring people of color excess to the ballot box.Barack Obama “purpose” was to create a movement of change that would propel him to the President of the United States of America and the leader of the free world.
The man who concentrates his energies upon the fulfillment of an unalterable design will assuredly wring success from the hands of a reluctant fortune.Such a man will take no heed of “impossibilities.”“Impossible?” exclaimed Napoleon, “there is nothing impossible; it is a word only found in the dictionary of fools.” Jesus said, “If you have the faith of a grain of mustard seed, nothing will be impossible for you.” The difference between genius and mediocrity lies chiefly in this matter of “purpose” for true genius has, what mediocrity usually wants, the capacity of labor.“Work and purpose” is the moral of every heroic life.
Does it really matter who says it, as long as it is the truth of the Word of God! The apostle Paul wrote, “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollo’s, but ministers by whom ye believed…” I (Paul) have planted, Apollo’s watered; but God gave the increase. so then neither he that plantlet any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” The Church (i.e. the people) has given far too much credit to man and his natural qualifications. Many say, “Oh I am not a theologian, how can I understand the Word of God.” That is the “Dark Age” mentality! You can understand God’s Word. According to the pattern in scripture. Levi was separated from among the children of Israel as the “Priesthood” to teach, protect, and watch over the copying the Word of God. (Deut.17:18, Num.1:47-54, Deut.24:8;31:9-13, 2Chron.15:3;34:15, Neh.8:2 / Neh.7:63-65) Levi was ”set” in this place by God as it pleased Him. Levi was not selected because he was a scholar or a theologian; he was selected because he was one of the sons of Israel that had been born into the family covenantal line. (Gen.49, Eph.2:1-19) Levi had nothing to do with his placement. He did not earn his place, he did not work his way “up through the ranks” (so-to-speak). His degrees did not qualify him, or his years of experience. It was God’s mercy. (Note: Rom.9:20) The reality of the Leviticus priesthood today is the Church, the Body of Christ, the Saint, the individual believer. (1Peter.2:5-9, Rev.1:6; 5:10) We have been born again into the family, the Covent line, (John.3:1-7, Eph.2:1-19) God has ”set” us “ in the body as “an holy priesthood” (1Cor.12:18) God did not set us in because we were scholars and theologians. God has set us in His Church where He wants us, with the ability that He gives us. (1John.2:27, John.16:12-13, 1Cor.2:1-14, 1Peter.4:11) Peter and John were “unlearned and ignorant men” (Acts.4:13) Luke was a doctor. Paul was “an Hebrew of Hebrews” yet considered all his natural qualifications as “dung” (Phil.3:4-8) God called Moses, who was “learned in all the wisdom of Egypt, and was mighty in words and in deeds,” (Acts.7:22) was sent into the desert to come to the realization that the “reproach of Christ” (is) greater than the treasures (wisdom) in Egypt.” (Heb.11:25) Education (i.e. the wisdom and treasures of Egypt) has its place in things of this world. However, in the “things of God” our education must be in God’s Word, and not man’s intellect. (1Cor.2:1-14)
The Church (i.e. the people) gave up this responsibility during the Dark Ages to man appointed Priests that hath polluted the “holy things” of God. (Note: Neh.7:63-65) We, the people, need to take it back. Note this quote from John Wycliffe. He wrote the “people had the right to read the Bible and interpret it for themselves”(Compton Interactive Encyclopedia, 96) there is an excellent “example” (i.e. types, shadow, model) in the Church the wilderness that illustrates the balanced between the people and leadership concerning God’s Word. (Num.10:1-10) There was a cloud that abode on the Tabernacle of Moses. When the cloud lifted up all Israel journeyed. When it remained, they journeyed not. (The Cloud is a type of God leading His Church by the Spirit) Everybody could see the cloud, regardless of their placement around the Tabernacle. (Num.1-3). They could interpret God’s leading, but nobody moved until the leadership (the Priest) came out and blew a trumpet sound. (Num.10:1-10) This was a confirming sound because the people had already interpreted what God was doing. The apostle Paul declared himself to “helpers of their (the Corinthian’s) joy.” He did not want dominion over their faith. Leadership is vital, however they are the servants holding the people up. They are “elders” (i.e. older spiritually) placed by God to give wisdom to the “younger” in the Lord. As a natural father would to his children.
