God's bigger plan

Whether or not we are religious, many people hope to live on in some way after death. But God’s plan of salvation encompasses so much more than this. God wants us to look outside of ourselves and invites us to be part of something much bigger. We’re going to look at three key aspects of God’s bigger plan that God wants us to look forward to.

The first of these is that God’s bigger plan involves not only our own salvation, but the salvation of the earth (Hab 2:14). God cares about what is going on in his earth and he has promised a time when the violence and corruption will stop. The earth will be restored with abundant crops in well-watered lands with joy, peace and plenty for everyone. There will be true justice, and everyone will have somewhere safe to live. The hope of eternal life that God offers is as part of his bigger plan for the whole earth (Isaiah 32:18, 35:5-10, 2:2-4, 65:17-25, Psalm 72, Micah 4:1-5).

God’s plan has always centred around the earth. God promised to give Abraham land for him and his descendants to live on, forever (Genesis 13:14-15). God promised Israel’s most faithful king, David, a special son that would sit on his throne as king, forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Daniel had a vision of God’s kingdom filling the whole earth and this kingdom was at the centre of what Jesus preached (Daniel 2:44, Matthew 4:17, 6:10).

When Jesus was born, those who knew their scriptures were waiting for God’s chosen king, the Messiah (or Christ) to bring about the promised time of peace (Matt 2:1-2, Luke 1:68-75, 2:25-32, 38). As we know, Jesus did not become king at that time. Even after he was raised from the dead his followers asked him when he would set up God’s kingdom – but the time was not yet (Acts 1:6-7). The reason we are still waiting, even now, is because a transformation of the earth requires a transformation of the people on it (2 Peter 3:9).

This is the second aspect of God’s bigger plan. Eternal life is not just a physical transformation, but a change in our mindset – to live not for ourselves, but for God and others. With Jesus as king over a restored earth, there will be peace and plenty (Psalm 72:12-14, 16). However, true peace and joy requires a change within each person to become content, thankful, loving and kind (Galatians 5:22-23). This is why Jesus preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is near” (Matt 4:17). To repent means to turn our hearts back to God, seek his forgiveness and walk in his ways.

Imagine what the world would be like if everyone lived by the two great commandments: to “love the LORD your God with all your heart… and your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27). This is the life of peace and fulfilment God calls us to begin living now. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Our inner transformation is an ongoing process that will be completed when Jesus returns to give the faithful eternal life, free from temptation and sin (Romans 7:24, 1 Corinthians 15:22-23, 54-57).

Which brings us to the final aspect of God’s bigger plan. The life God has promised involves being with others. Eternal life is not instantly granted when we are ready but will be given to all the faithful together on the day that God has chosen (Acts 17:31, Malachi 3:16-17). All those who love God will work together to setup God’s kingdom with Jesus (Isaiah 2:3, 2 Tim 2:12). The faithful from all ages are waiting to be resurrected for God’s kingdom on earth and this is our hope too (Daniel 12:1-2, John 5:28-29, 1 Cor 15:20-23).

“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39-40).

God’s bigger plan for us will be much better than we can possibly imagine (1 Cor 2:9). God loves us and has gone to the greatest lengths to reach out to us so we might turn to him and be saved. No matter how far we have strayed, God is waiting to forgive all who genuinely repent through his son, Jesus. (John 3:16, Acts 3:26, Isaiah 45:22).

“The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9)

“Do not fear little flock, for it is your heavenly Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32)

To sum up, God’s bigger plan involves…

·         A kingdom of peace over the whole earth

·         People who love God and his ways.

·         The return of Jesus as king

·         A resurrection of the dead

·         The faithful rewarded together

This broader view of salvation is, “the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 8:12). It is the message of hope that runs through the whole Bible and has the power of salvation to everyone who believes (Galatians 3:8, Romans 1:16).

If you are keen to explore God’s bigger plan further, download our Big Picture Bible reading plan on the study kit page or get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.