In Ephesians 3:14, Paul remarked, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…” This statement came as result of his desire to ensure his motives not be misinterpreted. He easily could have appealed to their emotions for all he had suffered., but his intent was much deeper than to selfishly receive sympathy. He had a higher calling toward which he pressed (Philippians 3:14).
There was a cause to every purpose Paul had as a Christian, preacher, missionary, and apostle. And in the same way there must be a cause to the purpose of each child of God today. But in order to determine the cause, the purpose must first be realized.
What is the purpose of a New Testament Christian? Perhaps Paul wrote it best when he continued in Ephesians 3 to say that it was to help all men see and know the love of Christ that passeth all knowledge (Ephesians 3:15-19). The Christian’s purpose is to help man come to know the love of God and respond to it through the gospel’s redemptive means.
Knowing the purpose, the cause of the New Testament Christian is clearly determined as that of which Paul was a beneficiary. “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” (I Timothy 1:16).
For this cause we obtain mercy because our purpose should be to know the love of God and help others do the same.