What’s the End Goal of Life?
According to the Bible, and summarised in the Westminster Catechism, our purpose is “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever” (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 6:19–20). Imagine if our daily habits were shaped by this end goal over a lifetime.
A Fruitful Life.
On 14 July 2025, we experienced the sad loss of Pastor John MacArthur at 86 years old, after more than five decades of fruitful ministry at Grace Community Church in California. Among his many accolades, MacArthur is renowned for his verse-by-verse expository preaching through the entire New Testament, an effort that took forty years. He also founded Grace to You, a Media Ministry which has reached millions of listeners in over 100 countries. He wrote the MacArthur Study Bible containing over 20 thousand study notes; founded “The Master’s Seminary” to train pastors and missionaries around the world, and authored over 150 bestselling books. Most importantly, MacArthur lived a life of faithfulness and integrity—a life that matched his teaching. His family and those closest to him loved and respected him.
A moving tribute by his son, Mark, made me sit up and think, “What are the active ingredients of a truly fruitful Christian life?” This is what Mark said about his dad:
“Growing up as John MacArthur’s son, I had a front-row seat to a life of remarkable discipline and consistency. My dad never saw his calling as just a job—it was a joyful, lifelong stewardship. Every morning, he rose early, not out of obligation, but out of a deep love for the Lord and a desire to rightly handle His Word. His study wasn’t rushed or sporadic; it was marked by quiet, daily diligence, fueled by prayer and dependence on the Spirit. He lived what he preached—faithfulness over flash, substance over show. Whether it was preaching, counseling, or writing, he approached each task with the same unwavering commitment to truth and excellence. His productivity didn’t come from chasing results, but from a lifetime of small, faithful habits rooted in the conviction that God’s glory is worth every effort.”
Fruitful Living Starts Today
Every believer is called to a fruitful life. But sanctification is a gradual process, requiring intentional effort and cooperation with the Holy Spirit. We’re not instantly delivered from laziness, procrastination, or apathy. Growth in godliness demands diligence, dependence on God, and consistent small steps in the right direction.
Apply All Diligence
Peter offers first-century Christians the building blocks for a fruitful life in Christ. His instruction is far from passive and apathetic:
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
For if these qualities are yours and increasing, they will keep you from being ineffectual or unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.”
—2 Peter 1:5–9 (NASB)
Peter begins this chapter with a bold assurance: We already have everything we need for a godly life (2 Peter 1:3–4). We are equipped to participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world caused by sinful desires.
So why do so many Christians (myself included) feel stuck in apathy, sin, or frustration at times? Why do we not see an increase in spiritual fruit?
Peter gives the answer: While God supplies the power, we must actively apply it. Growth takes effort and striving and discipline. It means pressing on when it’s hard and uncomfortable. We don’t wait passively for transformation—we live as if what we believe is true. We train ourselves for the purpose of godliness. And training is not for the fainthearted!
Train Yourself for Godliness
Paul instructed Timothy, a young pastor:
“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
—1 Timothy 4:7–8
I wonder what those silly myths look like for us? Perhaps today’s “silly myths” may be the endless streams of shallow content and online distractions which consume so much of our energy and time. They clutter our minds and divert us from what truly matters: Godliness. Training means guarding our attention and replacing distractions with habits that reflect Christ—moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, and love.
This is not self-help. It’s Spirit-empowered transformation. If these qualities are increasing, our lives will be fruitful and effective for Christ. We will not live unproductive or empty Christian lives.
I made this guide for myself, to remind me of my usual pitfalls and help me take nin faithful steps towards godly habits that lead to lasting growth. I hope it may be useful to you too.
- Start Today
Do these delay tactics sound familiar?
“When I’m less busy…”
“After this tough season…”
We often delay change with vague intentions to start “tomorrow,” but if you’re like me, that day rarely arrives. I have a remarkable ability to come up with reasons for avoiding hard things, especially when they’re early in the morning!
The truth is this: There’s never a perfect time and life’s big responsibilities happen all at once. Today is the best time to start to do what is good and honouring to the Lord. Feeling afraid, overwhelmed or unmotivated is normal—but not an excuse. In Christ, we are no longer ruled by a spirit of slavery leading to fear again. We are led by the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:13–17).
- Be a faithful steward of small things
We underestimate how much time we have, delay starting, and a year later regret it: “If only I had started, I would now be reaping the rewards…” This cycle robs us of tomorrow’s fruitfulness.
Break the sabotage cycle by being a faithful steward of small things today. “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much” (Luke 16:10).
- Set realistic Goals
Dramatic resolutions rarely last, but sustainable change comes from slow, steady progress.
Instead of dramatic changes, aim for:
- Realistic goals
- Small steps
- Long-term consistency
4. Set achievable goals
Examples of achievable goals:
- Improve sleep, diet, and exercise
- Leave your phone out of the bedroom at night
- Move your body 4x/week
- Prepare for temptation
- Build a daily routine
- Put off, renew your mind, put on
Lasting change for a Christian always involves a three-step process:
- Putting off the old self which belongs to our former manner of life,
- Renewing our mind in the truth,
- Putting on the new self “created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22–24).
There are no shortcuts to this three-step process of putting off sinful attitudes, actions and words; renewing our minds in the truth of God’s Word; and putting on what pleases God. It’s not the recipe for instant change, but if you follow this biblical process day-by-day, a year from now you’ll look back and say, “Look what God has done!”
- Build good habits
Better to move like a tortoise than run in rabbit circles! Fruitful Christians understand that slow and steady progress beats bursts of intensity or talent. It’s better to imitate the proverbial tortoise than the hare.
Consider:
- What is the easiest habit to change?
- How much consistent time and effort can you invest in this habit?
True progress starts by understanding the power of habits. Habits are learned patterns of behaviour that, over time, become second nature. When something is done regularly, it shapes lifestyle—and ultimately, our destiny.
For example, Hebrews 5:14 describes mature Christians who consume the solid food of God’s Word, and who “by constant practice have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Similarly, Paul writes to the Philippian Christians, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
—Philippians 4:11
Constant practice, training, learning take time. The character fruits of maturity, discernment and contentment come through training. They do not arrive by osmosis or book learning. Through consistent practice, ungodly habits can be unlearned, and godly habits can be learned.
Start with something simple—like daily Bible reading and prayer—as a way to train for godliness (1 Timothy 4:7).
Godly disciplines exceed the benefits of useful bodily disciplines such as exercise and healthy eating. In Disciplines of a Godly Man[1]/Woman,[2] Kent and Barbara Hughes offer practical guidance on areas of key, godly disciplines that Christians should be developing:
- Purity and Relationships
- Soul and Mind
- Worship and Witness
- Ministry, Giving, and Work
- Friendship and Leadership
- Integrity, Speech, and Perseverance
Although these books challenge us to spiritual effort, the authors also stress the difference between legalism and discipline.
Legalism says, “I do this to earn merit with God.”
Discipline says, “I do this because I love God and want to please Him.”
One is man-centred; the other is God-centred. We need to be careful of our motives, because godly disciplines can easily become idols to feed our desire to look better than others.
- Walk by the Spirit
Motivations fade and every journey has temptations, obstacles and roadblocks, whether from the world, the flesh or the Devil (Ephesians 2:1-3). These are powerful enemies that once enslaved us before we knew Jesus. When faced with fading motivation, we will either press on toward change, or nurture guilt and regret.
Our fallen nature is a resilient enemy that will remain until we are glorified. And so, when motivation fades, we need to resist the presence of sin by stepping forward in the power of the Holy Spirit. Even the smallest step in the Spirit builds momentum. “But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Gal 5:16).
Walking by the Spirit means putting our plans into action and living out our position in Christ.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”
—Titus 2:11–12 reminds us of three important facts:
- Grace trains us to say no to the flesh.
- Don’t expect it to be easy “in the present age”.
- Obedience comes first—feelings follow.
8. Stay the Course
When you hit a bump, stay the course. This is the definition of perseverance, which is the foundation for Christlike character.
“Perseverance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
—Romans 5:4–5
Thank God for the bumps that give us opportunity to repent, grow and face challenges, depending on His strength alone. That’s how our faith grows resilient and mature (James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 1:6–7).
9. Be Committed
Pastor John MacArthur used the acronym A-C-C-E-P-T to describe true commitment to live for the glory of God:
A – Acknowledge Responsibility
You are responsible for your thoughts and responses. You can honour Christ, regardless of your circumstances.
C – Choose a Biblical Perspective
Let God’s Word, not feelings, interpret your life circumstances, past and present.
C – Commit to Remove Obstacles
“Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh…”
—Romans 13:14.
Be willing to eliminate any habit or influence that hinders your spiritual growth.
E – Exert Effort
“Make every effort…”
—2 Peter 1:5
Change is hard work, not instant or automatic. Be patient and diligent in pressing forward.
P – Persevere in Obedience
“You have need of endurance…”
—Hebrews 10:36
Don’t give up on obedience if progress is slow and discouraging. God is working in the hidden places.
T – Trust God
“Work out your salvation… for it is God who works in you…”
—Philippians 2:12–13
The Holy Spirit empowers you to do what you cannot do alone. When we look away from ourselves and trust Him, He enables us to do what seems impossible.
Like Moses, we need to constantly shift our focus from our inadequacy and weakness, to God’s sufficiency and strength.
Final Encouragement
You and I don’t need to stay stuck in old habits or regrets. A fruitful and productive Christian life is possible—not by our own strength, but by the Spirit’s power.
“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6.) This is part of a larger story where God, through the prophet Zechariah, tells Zerubbabel that the rebuilding of the temple will not be accomplished through human resources, but by God’s Spirit.
Take small steps in the Spirit’s strength today. Build daily habits of obedience. Learn from faithful believers who finished well. Practice quiet, consistent, prayerful diligence.
Choose faithfulness over flash. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith.
In time, your life will bear the fruit of transformation: A lifetime that glorifies God, blesses others, and brings lasting joy. Is this not a worthwhile legacy?
[1] https://www.goodneighbours.org.za/shop/christian-living/christian-living-men/disciplines-of-a-godly-man/
[2] https://www.goodneighbours.org.za/shop/christian-living/christian-living-counselling/christian-living-counselling-addiction/disciplines-of-a-godly-women/