15 Powerful Bible Verses About Purpose in Life
Winter fog huddles over the earth like a guest arriving late to a party that has long since drawn to a close. I’ve been feeling scattered and distracted by the needs surrounding me lately, and I open my Bible in search of Bible verses about purpose.
Perhaps you want to know what the Bible says about purpose, too. I invite you to soak in the words below. Also, be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you embrace God’s purpose.
15 Bible Verses About Purpose
Whether you’re searching for God’s purpose for your life or merely need fresh inspiration today, let these words remind you that your purpose is much simpler than you might imagine. God is more concerned with how you live than where you work or how you earn a living.
These Bible verses about purpose remind us that we are called to love God and love others. Meanwhile, God is more concerned about the attitudes of our hearts than anything else.
Let’s look at seven powerful Bible verses about purpose in life. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you cultivate a sense of purpose in life.
Bible Verses About Purpose in Life
No matter where this day finds you, your purpose in life can be explained in two succinct Bible verses about purpose. We will look at these two foundational Bible verses about purpose, and then we will explore additional verses that can help us follow God into our callings.
1. Mark 12:30
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (NASB)
First and foremost, you were created to love God with all of your being. This is your primary purpose.
When God spoke the first person, Adam, into being, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit huddled together and decided, “Let us make man in our image.”
We were created from a relationship for relationships.
God’s character does not change with time. He is still a relational God. He still exists as a Triune God in a throne room where relationships are his greatest delight.
God created you to live in a relationship with him. Like healthy marriages, all relationships deepen with time. Is your relationship with God deepening, or have you reached a plateau?
If you are hungry to go deeper with God, ask him to help you encounter him afresh today. Make it a priority to seek his face every day. Read his written Word. Talk to him throughout your day as you would talk to a friend.
God wants to speak into your life. I also have a gift to help you respond today: My 10-day online devotional Fan the Flame. This devotional offers dozens of practical ways to connect with God and hear what he wants to speak to you. Click here, and I will send this devotional directly to your email inbox.
2. Mark 12:31
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (NASB)
Second, you will find God’s purpose for your life by living in relationships with others.
God said that it was not good for Adam to be alone; therefore, he created a helper suitable for him. God created Eve for companionship with Adam. We are created for relationships with others.
Let’s not allow the familiarity of this truth to pass by us. We embrace God’s purpose for our lives when we make relationships a priority. This week, some of us will cross paths with people who rub us the wrong way. We’ll sit around tables, revisit childhood memories, and feel stretched in dozens of different directions. All the while, God is calling us to invest in these relationships.
I used to believe the concept of iron sharpening iron always looked like believers united in heart, pouring over Scripture and encouraging one another. More and more, I am learning that iron sharpening iron also looks like working through differences in our relationships. This week, let’s be mindful to approach our relationships with soft hearts.
God uses these relationships to smooth our rough edges and mold us to his image.
Let’s aim to be kind when we want to snap. Let’s pick our battles wisely. And let’s slow down to relish the good moments. You never know when you just might be gathered around the table.
More Bible Verses About Purpose
God’s purpose for your life will always involve loving him and loving others. It will also include living by principles found in the following verses:
3. 1 Corinthians 6:19-120
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (ESV)
We are called to honor God with our bodies. Remembering this helps us live within God’s boundaries and fulfill our purposes.
4. Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV)
We are called to follow Jesus and then make followers wherever we go, even to the ends of the earth.
5. Ephesians 2:10
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (ESV)
We were each created to do good works, which God prepared for us. Are you using your God-given gifts and talents to help others? If so, you are fulfilling part of the good works God planned for you.
6. Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” (ESV)
We are all called to commit our lives to the Lord. When we do so, he will direct our steps.
7. Exodus 9:16
“But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” (ESV)
We are to proclaim God’s name to all the earth. We are to point others to him and share his love.
8. Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (ESV)
A sense of purpose is found through the countercultural act of laying our lives down for Jesus.
As we surrender to him, he makes our purpose clear.
9. Romans 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (ESV)
If we truly want to live with purpose, we begin by opening God’s Word and asking him to renew our minds.
God reveals his purpose as we align our minds with God’s mind.
10. Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV)
Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus reminded us that our purpose is to make followers. We find purpose when we follow this command.
11. 1 Corinthians 10:31
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (ESV)
This verse reminds us to do everything, including eating and drinking, for God’s glory.
12. Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (ESV)
This Word was spoken of the prophet Jeremiah, and it is true for all of God’s children.
God has had a plan for you since before you were born.
13. Ephesians 2:10
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (ESV)
Did you know that God has planned good works for you to fulfill? Seek him and he will lead you into these works.
14. Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (ESV)
Passion and purpose are found by seeking God with our whole hearts. Everything else falls into place after this pursuit.
15. Exodus 9:16
“But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” (ESV)
We were all created to give God glory. When we remember this high calling, we find purpose and passion.
Apply These Bible Verses About Purpose to Your Life
In conclusion, remember that God is most concerned that you live a life of loving him and loving others. He wants you to use your natural talents and giftings to help and serve others. Live in these ways, and you will live within your purpose.
God is most concerned that you live a life of loving him and loving others. He wants you to use your natural talents and giftings to help and serve others. #purpose #calling Share on XCalling All Parents (and Grandparents)!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
A Free Devotional to Help You Find Hope in the Lord
I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment. Find it for free here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
