Genesis 1:28 (KJV) “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

When God created the first humans, Adam and Eve, He blessed them and commanded them to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth, subdue it, and have dominion. We can clearly see that humanity has fulfilled this in a physical sense. However, as children of the Most High God, we should also understand this command in a spiritual sense.

We are called to be fruitful in our walk with God and to “multiply” through soulwinning—birthing spiritual sons and daughters into the Kingdom. We are to subdue the opposing, satanic forces that come against us and to walk in dominion as God’s chosen elect, the church, exercising authority over the powers of darkness from the deep and over the prince of the air (Satan).

This is our original purpose—both physically and spiritually.

We find a clear statement of our God-given duty and purpose in Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV): “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Scripture tells us plainly that we are to fear God and keep His commandments.

With that in mind, what are the “great” commandments as laid out in the Bible?

You can find it in Mark 12:30-31 (KJV):

“(30) And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

(31) And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”

This clearly states that no other commandments are greater than these.

How do we love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, body, and strength? We do this by pursuing what pleases Him—keeping His commandments, placing Him above everything and everyone else, serving Him faithfully, and trusting Him completely no matter what comes our way.

When you think about it, everything we do in living for God falls under these two great commandments. Every action in a consecrated Christian life will either reflect our love for God or our love for our neighbor. For example, living a holy life demonstrates our love for God, while preferring others before ourselves reflects our love for our neighbor.

If you read the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, you’ll notice that all ten fall under one of these two categories: loving the Lord thy God or loving thy neighbor as thyself.

Matthew 6:33 (KJV) says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Putting God first and seeking Him above everything else in every area of our lives is one of the greatest ways we can love and serve Him.

The Bible also teaches us to present ourselves to God as a “living sacrifice.” Romans 12:1 (KJV) urges us: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

We were created in God’s image and are considered His workmanship. He has ordained us to walk in His will and to follow His commandments. As Ephesians 2:10 (KJV) declares, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

If we are to be used by God and fulfill His purpose for our lives, then we must be prepared for every good work.

2 Timothy 2:21-26 (KJV),

“(21) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

(22) Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

(23) But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

(24) And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

(25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

(26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

One of the most important purposes we ALL have as Spirit-filled children of God is to let His light within us shine before others. We are called to tell people about this wonderful plan of salvation and to spread the Gospel throughout the world. While not everyone is called to serve as a missionary in a foreign country, we are all called to be “missionaries” in our own families, workplaces, schools, and communities.

Matthew 5:14-16 (KJV), “(14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Acts 1:8 (KJV) states, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Jerusalem can be an example of your immediate connections, family, friends, and loved ones, your “home”. Samaria can be an example of your community, city, or surrounding area. The uttermost part of the earth is to every person on this earth. At home and abroad, missionaries are vital to reaching every soul with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV), “(18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Matthew 9:37-38 (KJV), “(37) Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; (38) Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (KJV), “(18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

In the first Scripture passage, we find a direct command from Jesus Christ Himself to go and teach this Truth to all nations, all people, and all communities. In the next passage, He instructs us to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers. In the final passage, we are told that we have been given the ministry of reconciliation and that we are ambassadors for Christ.

These three passages make it clear that we ALL share the calling and purpose to win souls and to be witnesses and ambassadors for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Another purpose we have is to use the “talents” God has given us—for His glory, for the work of His Kingdom, and for the benefit of others.

The parable of the talents, found in Matthew 25:14–30 (KJV), tells of a master who entrusted three servants with talents. He gave one servant five talents, another two, and another one. The first servant invested his five and gained five more, making ten in total. The second invested his two and earned two more, totaling four. But the third servant buried his talent and never used it.

When the master returned and asked for an account, he commended the first two servants for using their talents wisely and producing gain. However, when he discovered that the third servant had hidden his talent and failed to use it, he condemned him.

This is a strong illustration taught by Jesus that every person is given a “talent” to be used in the Kingdom of God. Whether it be a preacher, minister, teacher, prayer warrior, musician, singer, or another calling, perhaps it is an organizational, custodial, leadership, or administrative calling. Maybe it is to help support the church financially or to strengthen or encourage the “brethren.” Perhaps it is a calling to be a faithful example and supporter of the church and pastor, a pillar in the church.

Whatever God has placed in us, each of us has something special we can do for the Kingdom of God.

It is so important, as God’s chosen people and His children, that we fulfill our God-given purposes. I pray that I will always recognize that God created me and saved me for a reason—that He has given me a purpose, a responsibility, and something special to accomplish in His Kingdom. I pray that I never waste my “talent” or the potential He has placed within me, but that I faithfully serve my Savior and Redeemer in whatever calling He has for my life.

• A Redeemed Ruby