This lesson falls on September the 11th, a date that brings back memories of a very dark day in our country. 15 years ago, our lives and the way we see things in the world...changed. Many Americans I'm sure, began to reflect on their very purpose in life, what's it all about? Many probably began to change some priorities, like spending more time with loved ones, or maybe even changing jobs. Let's just take a moment to remember...
15th Anniversary of 9/11
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This week, I want you to stop and give some thought to what events or event in your life have caused you to stop and consider your purpose in life?
Our lesson this week says that our one great purpose is that...
What does that mean? What is the meaning of life?
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
What is the meaning of life?
Countless people have discussed that question through the ages. And they’ve all come up with different answers. Take, for example, the conclusion of one celebrity who endured cancer and 17 months of chemotherapy and radiation. She said: “What I learned is very simple: that your life belongs to you. And it really doesn’t matter what you do with it, but it should be what you want to do with it. Not what your mother or father or friends or society want. It should be ‘I-directed.’ And that’s the only purpose for being here.”
Sadly, I also lived for a long time with a worldly misunderstanding of purpose. I was a very selfish person. My life was “I-directed,” and I sought fulfillment in materialism, relationships, and money. These resulted in momentary satisfaction, but the emptiness always returned. I was living my life without real purpose.
Thankfully, I discovered the purpose of my life—of our lives—in time. That purpose is made clear in the pages of Scripture.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Isaiah 43:1-2
1Now this is what the Lord says—the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who formed you, Israel—“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. 2I will be with you when you pass through the waters.
Isaiah 43 addressed God’s relationship with Israel, and it still holds great meaning for us today. Consider what verses 1-2 tell us about God’s connection with His chosen people:
- God created and formed them.
- God redeemed them out of bondage in Egypt.
- God called them by name; they were His possession.
Don’t miss the intimacy and purpose in God’s choice of words: “created,” “formed,” “redeemed,” and “called.” God created you, as well—and He created you to live in relationship with Him. If you have a relationship with the Lord, He is forming you each day to become more like Him, much as a potter forms clay (see Isa. 64:8). If you’re a Christian, God has redeemed you through Jesus Christ. He has set you free from the penalty and the power of sin. He has called you by name and brought you to Himself.
God desires for you to grow beyond mere knowledge about Him. He wants you to know Him more and more so that you will grow deeper in your walk and relationship with Him. The apostle Paul reflected on this type of growth when speaking about his life goals: “My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead” (Phil. 3:10 -11).
We can rest in our relationship with God because of the great promises He has given us. For example, He has promised to always be with us and protect us.
In Isaiah 43, the prophet used word pictures to describe the adversity we face in life: waters and rivers, fire and flame. Yet even in difficult trials and circumstances, God has promised to be with His people. It’s encouraging to know the God who redeemed us in the past will protect us from harm in the future, no matter how difficult our situations may be.
Isaiah 43:3-4
3For I Yahweh your God, the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior, give Egypt as a ransom for you, Cush and Seba in your place. 4Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and I love you, I will give people in exchange for you and nations instead of your life.
God’s promises are motivated by His love. His people are so precious in His sight that He would save them at a high price. God promised to bring them back from exile and restore them to their land. Others would experience defeat—Egypt, Cush, and Seba in this case—but the Lord would restore His people.
Not only did God promise His protection and His presence for the Israelites, but also His prosperity. In fact, God has promised prosperity to all who follow Him—but not a materialistic prosperity. We prosper with spiritual blessings: “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heaven” (Eph. 1:3).
The greatest spiritual blessing of all is to know and enjoy God’s love. God created us and called us to be in relationship with Him through redemption in order that we could enjoy His love.
The greatest expression of God’s love was displayed at the cross. Jesus willingly went to the cross and died as a substitute for our sin. We did nothing to earn or deserve this act of love. God has extended it to us by grace. Thankfully, just as we can do nothing to earn this loving gift from God, we can do nothing to lose it (see Rom. 8:35-39). Our salvation is eternally secure in Christ.
One of the most difficult times in my life was when I lost my dad to cancer. It was gut-wrenching, but God was with me through it all. In fact, I’m closer to God today as a result of what I experienced in that terrible time. What could have overwhelmed me, God used to draw me closer to Himself. His love was with me constantly.
That’s an important principle. To enjoy the love of God doesn’t mean we face every life situation with a smile on our faces, but it does mean we face every life situation with the assurance of God’s presence, protection, and everlasting love. That is true prosperity.
Isaiah 43:5 -7
5Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west. 6I will say to the north: Give them up! and to the south: Do not hold them back! Bring My sons from far away, and My daughters from the ends of the earth— 7everyone called by My name and created for My glory. I have formed him; indeed, I have made him.”
Because we were created to know and enjoy God’s love, we ultimately have nothing to fear. Isaiah prophesied to the nation of Israel that, even though they would face the difficulty of exile, God would bring them back home. He would be with them, and His presence would keep them during their trial.
Isaiah 43 highlights three important attributes of God:
- God is love (v. 4). We express God’s love by putting others before ourselves. Perhaps the greatest expression of God’s love is when we choose to forgive someone we feel is undeserving. After all, that’s what God did for us.
- God is holy (v. 3). As Christians, we pursue holiness by living in obedience to God’s Word.
- God is gracious (v. 7). He called us by His name and created us for His glory—and we did nothing to deserve this. We can exemplify God’s grace by extending grace to others.
When we faithfully display the character of God, our lives point to Him and bring Him glory. The gospel provides us with all the motivation and power we need to pursue this purpose wholeheartedly. God created you, called you, and redeemed you. Through Christ’s work on the cross, He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He brought us back to the place of living for His glory and enjoying Him forever.
What a great purpose for life! But we only experience this purpose when we submit our lives to Christ for salvation. God told His people, “Do not fear, for I am with you.” And that’s the key: God’s presence. Sin keeps us from knowing God personally, but God demonstrated His love for us by sending His Son to die in our place (see Rom. 5:6-8).
I used to be “I-directed,” but God pursued me. He called me by name. He redeemed me. He changed my life. He helped me find what I was created for—and He can do the same for you.
LIVE IT OUT
You have a purpose. How will that truth influence your actions and attitudes this week? Consider the following options:
- Reflect on the grace of God in your own life. Write down specific things God has done for you. Spend time in prayer thanking and praising Him.
- Display the character of God in your life this week. Look for opportunities to display the character of Jesus toward others. Perhaps you need to offer someone forgiveness. Or you can offer an act of kindness to a stranger in need.
- Talk with someone this week a specific way God has shown His grace to you. Be prepared to share the gospel with them if the conversation moves in that direction.
The true meaning of your life—the true purpose—is to glorify God through your life. That’s a difficult decision to make, and you must make it each day. Thankfully, it’s a decision that allows you to enjoy God’s presence for all time.
Teacher's Notes:
9/11: This lesson falls on September the 11th and that date brings back a memory of a very difficult tragedy in our country. 15 years ago, many Americans I'm sure, began to reflect on their purpose in life. Many probably rearrange some priorities, like spending more time with loved ones, or maybe even changing jobs.
Michael Phelps: There’s something about knowing we’ve been created by a loving Father that changes us.
This week, I wanted you to stop and give some thought to events in your life that have caused you to think about your purpose in life?
One Great Purpose: We were created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
I. Your Purpose Begins with a Relationship with God (1-2)
1Now this is what the Lord says—the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who formed you, Israel—“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. 2I will be with you when you pass through the waters.
3 insights into your purpose
It’s easy to fill our lives with things and activities. Busyness can drown out the quiet, nagging question that asks: What’s the purpose of all I’m doing? What have I really accomplished?
Isaiah 43 speaks of God’s relationship with Israel. But it also holds great meaning for us today. Look at how God speaks about His chosen people:
Listen to the intimacy and purpose in God’s choice of words: “created,” “formed,” “redeemed,” and “called.”
God desires for you to grow beyond mere knowledge about Him. He wants you to know Him more and more so that you will grow deeper in your walk and relationship with Him. The apostle Paul reflected on this type of growth when speaking about his life goals: “My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead” (Phil. 3:10 -11).
How can these verses be seen as both good news and bad news, both comforting and troubling?
But, we can rest in our relationship with God because of the great promises He has given us. He has promised to always be with us and protect us.
In Isaiah 43, the prophet used word pictures to describe the adversity we face in life: waters.
Is there purpose in trials? What if our lives are difficult and things go wrong? Are our failures and hardships for the glory of God, too?
How has God used specific trials in your life to teach you more about Him?
One of the most difficult times in my life was when I lost my dad to cancer. It was gut-wrenching, but God was with me through it all.
Point: We were created and intended to be in a relationship with the Lord.
It All Starts With God: The search for the purpose of life has puzzled people because we typically begin at the wrong starting point (ourselves)
II. Your Purpose is to Enjoy God’s Love (3-4)
3For I Yahweh your God, the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior, give Egypt as a ransom for you, Cush and Seba in your place. 4Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and I love you, I will give people in exchange for you and nations instead of your life.
God’s promises are motivated by His love. His people are so precious in His sight that He would save them at a high price. God promised to bring the Israelites back from exile and restore them to their land. Others would experience defeat—Egypt, Cush, and Seba in this case—but the Lord would restore His people.
Why do so many waste their time trying to earn God’s unconditional love?
What are some of the ways that we can know God loves us?
Point: We should rejoice that the Lord loves us. Because the Lord loves us, He acts on our behalf and in our best interests.
III. Your Purpose is to Bring God Glory (5-7)
5Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west. 6I will say to the north: Give them up! and to the south: Do not hold them back! Bring My sons from far away, and My daughters from the ends of the earth— 7everyone called by My name and created for My glory. I have formed him; indeed, I have made him.”
Because we were created to know and enjoy God’s love, we ultimately have nothing to fear. Isaiah prophesied to the nation of Israel that, even though they would face the difficulty of exile, God would bring them back home. He would be with them, and His presence would keep them during their trial.
God’s loving protection applies to “everyone called by My name and created for My glory.” That includes us.
What are some ways we can glorify God in our everyday lives?
What a great purpose for life! But we only experience this purpose when we submit our lives to Christ for salvation. God told His people, “Do not fear, for I am with you.” And that’s the key: God’s presence. Sin keeps us from knowing God personally, but God demonstrated His love for us by sending His Son to die in our place (see Rom. 5:6-8).
I used to be “I-directed,” but God pursued me. He called me by name. He redeemed me. He changed my life. He helped me find what I was created for—and He can do the same for you.
It’s not about you.
Point: All who profess the Lord as their Lord are to bring glory to His name.
Balancing Your Life
Blessed are the balanced; they shall outlast everyone
In Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life, he says that God has five purposes for your life which you must keep in balance:
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31
Question: Does the Bible CLEARLY Teach That Our MAIN Purpose is to Glorify God?
There is a difference between saying the Word tells us to do all things to God's glory and saying that this is the MAIN purpose of man. After all, the Bible says to rejoice evermore, give thanks for all things, and summarizes the Law as love. In the church, we are to do all things for edification.
Ps. 86:9, Ps. 86:12, John 17:1-3, Romans 15:8-9, I Peter 2:12, I Peter 4:16, Rev. 15:4
Above, I mentioned that there are many verses that say all is about this or that. There is a big difference between saying, "Do all things to God's glory" and "Your main purpose for existing is to glorify God." It is not so much that I disagree with you, but the logic is lacking. It is a case of truth vs. whole truth. Deut. 30:5-6 says that the sign of regeneration is a heart that loves God, not one that glorifies God: 5 And the Lord your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. 6 And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. 7 And the Lord your God will put all these curses on your foes and enemies who persecuted you.
In Matthew 22:36, Jesus says LOVING God is the greatest commandment. This means, therefore, either (a) there is no commandment to glorify God in the Old Testament, which is suspicious, or (b) that Loving God is the broader command that encompasses glorifying him, or (2) [my choice] that all creation glorifies God whether beings want to or not, in either wrath or grace, and that our VOLITIONAL focus should be loving God. Note Jesus words. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment.
Is the reason why we were created the same as our main purpose? Further is giving God pleasure the same as giving Him glory?
The following verses tell us why we were created: Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Isaiah 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. These verses spell out the most basic expectations for what we as his created beings should be doing in order to glorify Him.
What about Ecclesiastes 12:13? "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Now while it is true that God will be glorified if I fear Him and keep His commandments (so it may be argued that the Glory is theologically deduced) I think a fairly good argument can be made from this verse, and others, that my responsibility is to fear God and keep His commandments, not just "glorify Him." So at the very least more than one "main" responsibility exists.
The duty/responsibility of man vs the purpose for his existence - they are not necessarily the same thing. The reason/purpose for which we were made was to glorify God, but as creatures who are created for His glory, we have duties/responsibilities/expectations from God.
All CREATURES and things were made to glorify God, but man's volitional duties are summarized either in Ecclesiastes or as the 2 Great Commandments. The rest of creation really cannot do that. So, whereas we should be concerned about glorifying God (for it is commanded), our focus needs to be on loving God and others, also defined as fearing God and obeying his commands.
Conclusion
We tend to think of salvation in terms of the benefits that we derive from it. We focus on forgiveness, peace of mind and heart, hope, heaven, and so forth. Certainly all those benefits are valid and are to be celebrated as the Lord’s blessings that come to all who have professed faith in Christ as the living Lord and Savior.
That being said, salvation is not just about us. It is about more than what we can get out of it. We were created, redeemed, saved, and bought into a right relationship with God through Christ for His sake as well.
Hope to see you this Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
Teacher's Notes:
9/11: This lesson falls on September the 11th and that date brings back a memory of a very difficult tragedy in our country. 15 years ago, many Americans I'm sure, began to reflect on their purpose in life. Many probably rearrange some priorities, like spending more time with loved ones, or maybe even changing jobs.
Michael Phelps: There’s something about knowing we’ve been created by a loving Father that changes us.
- At the Olympics this year, we were able to watch what may have been the very beginning of that transformation for Olympic champion and 23-time Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps. By now, you’ve probably heard the story of Phelps getting his second DUI in ten years. It happened during his first retirement from swimming after the 2012 Olympics. Bored of retirement and trying to fill the void, he’d taken to drinking excessively. On his way home from a casino one night, Phelps was pulled over and charged. This event had such a negative effect on his life that he was contemplating suicide, assuming the world would be better without the messes he made. Thankfully, Phelps went to rehab, instead. While he was in rehab, a longtime friend, Ray Lewis (Baltimore Raven Star) gave Phelps a copy of The Purpose Driven Life. Phelps hasn’t made any specific comments about his spiritual beliefs, but he told ESPN that the book “turned me into believing there is a power greater than myself and there is a purpose for me on this planet.” In addition, other members of the treatment center began referring to him as “Preacher Mike,” since he took to reading passages from Rick Warren’s book out loud to others. It’s easy to be wary of celebrities claiming to have found God after a long history of destructive behavior, but there was a marked difference in the way Phelps behaved at this year’s Olympics. He seemed to feel the victories more deeply. In truth, he looked like a man who’d been given back his life. After his last swim, he told reporters he’d just gotten off the phone with Ray Lewis, and that he was excited for his life after swimming. He smiled as he explained to the reporter that there’s so much more to life. That’s the power of God.
This week, I wanted you to stop and give some thought to events in your life that have caused you to think about your purpose in life?
One Great Purpose: We were created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Isaiah 43:1-7
I. Your Purpose Begins with a Relationship with God (1-2)
1Now this is what the Lord says—the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who formed you, Israel—“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. 2I will be with you when you pass through the waters.
3 insights into your purpose
- You discover your identity & purpose through a relationship with God
- You may choose your career, spouse, hobbies, but you don’t get to choose your purpose
- The purpose of your life fits into a much larger cosmic purpose designed for eternity
It’s easy to fill our lives with things and activities. Busyness can drown out the quiet, nagging question that asks: What’s the purpose of all I’m doing? What have I really accomplished?
- God created us for so much more than we often settle for.
- He created us with purpose and for a purpose.
- Our lives become rich and full when we discover and live out this truth.
Isaiah 43 speaks of God’s relationship with Israel. But it also holds great meaning for us today. Look at how God speaks about His chosen people:
- God created and formed them.
- God redeemed them out of bondage.
- God calls them by name; they are His possession.
Listen to the intimacy and purpose in God’s choice of words: “created,” “formed,” “redeemed,” and “called.”
- If you have a relationship with the Lord, He is forming you each day to become more like Him, like a potter forms clay (see Isa. 64:8).
- If you’re a Christian, God has redeemed you through Jesus Christ. He has set you free from the penalty and the power of sin. He has called you by name and brought you to Himself.
God desires for you to grow beyond mere knowledge about Him. He wants you to know Him more and more so that you will grow deeper in your walk and relationship with Him. The apostle Paul reflected on this type of growth when speaking about his life goals: “My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead” (Phil. 3:10 -11).
How can these verses be seen as both good news and bad news, both comforting and troubling?
- Comforting - God’s presence and protection
- Troubling - (deep water, rivers, fire) are coming - you will have problems
But, we can rest in our relationship with God because of the great promises He has given us. He has promised to always be with us and protect us.
In Isaiah 43, the prophet used word pictures to describe the adversity we face in life: waters.
Is there purpose in trials? What if our lives are difficult and things go wrong? Are our failures and hardships for the glory of God, too?
- Yes, they are. We often thank God and praise his name when things go well, but we often turn our backs on him and complain when things are difficult. Sometimes our appreciation and trust in God becomes conditioned on how well things are going for us. Ultimately, this is self-centered immaturity. Even though things can go wrong in our lives, the ultimate reason we are here is to glorify God -- even through the difficulties. We do this by praising him and trusting him through difficult times.
How has God used specific trials in your life to teach you more about Him?
- healing when sick or injured
- provision when finances were low
- new job when lost an old one
- encouragement when discouraged
- helped the kids in their hard schoolwork
- encouragement when discouraged
- forgiveness when I have failed
One of the most difficult times in my life was when I lost my dad to cancer. It was gut-wrenching, but God was with me through it all.
Point: We were created and intended to be in a relationship with the Lord.
It All Starts With God: The search for the purpose of life has puzzled people because we typically begin at the wrong starting point (ourselves)
- It is God who directs the lives of His creatures; everyone’s life is in His power.
- Life is about letting God use you for His purposes, not you using Him for your purpose.
II. Your Purpose is to Enjoy God’s Love (3-4)
3For I Yahweh your God, the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior, give Egypt as a ransom for you, Cush and Seba in your place. 4Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and I love you, I will give people in exchange for you and nations instead of your life.
God’s promises are motivated by His love. His people are so precious in His sight that He would save them at a high price. God promised to bring the Israelites back from exile and restore them to their land. Others would experience defeat—Egypt, Cush, and Seba in this case—but the Lord would restore His people.
Why do so many waste their time trying to earn God’s unconditional love?
- The greatest spiritual blessing of all is to know and enjoy God’s love. He created us and called us to be in relationship with Him through redemption in order that we could enjoy His love.
- The greatest expression of God’s love was displayed at the cross. Jesus willingly went to the cross and died as a substitute for our sin. We did nothing to earn or deserve this act of love. God has extended it to us by grace. Thankfully, just as we can do nothing to earn this loving gift from God, we can do nothing to lose it (see Rom. 8:35-39). Our salvation is eternally secure in Christ.
What are some of the ways that we can know God loves us?
- His provision
- protection
- Jesus died for us
- guidance
- presence of Holy Spirit in our lives
- the value of God’s Word which describes what God has done, is doing
Point: We should rejoice that the Lord loves us. Because the Lord loves us, He acts on our behalf and in our best interests.
III. Your Purpose is to Bring God Glory (5-7)
5Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west. 6I will say to the north: Give them up! and to the south: Do not hold them back! Bring My sons from far away, and My daughters from the ends of the earth— 7everyone called by My name and created for My glory. I have formed him; indeed, I have made him.”
Because we were created to know and enjoy God’s love, we ultimately have nothing to fear. Isaiah prophesied to the nation of Israel that, even though they would face the difficulty of exile, God would bring them back home. He would be with them, and His presence would keep them during their trial.
God’s loving protection applies to “everyone called by My name and created for My glory.” That includes us.
What are some ways we can glorify God in our everyday lives?
- To be created for God’s glory means we are to display His character.
- Isaiah 43 says that God is love (v. 4). We express God’s love by putting others before ourselves. Perhaps the greatest expression of God’s love is when we choose to forgive someone we feel is undeserving. After all, that’s what God did for us.
- Isaiah 43 says that God is holy (v. 3). As Christians, we pursue holiness by living in obedience to God’s Word.
- Isaiah 43 says that God is gracious (v. 7). He called us by His name and created us for His glory—and we did nothing to deserve this. We can exemplify God’s grace by extending grace to others.
- When we faithfully display the character of God, our lives point to Him and bring Him glory.
What a great purpose for life! But we only experience this purpose when we submit our lives to Christ for salvation. God told His people, “Do not fear, for I am with you.” And that’s the key: God’s presence. Sin keeps us from knowing God personally, but God demonstrated His love for us by sending His Son to die in our place (see Rom. 5:6-8).
I used to be “I-directed,” but God pursued me. He called me by name. He redeemed me. He changed my life. He helped me find what I was created for—and He can do the same for you.
It’s not about you.
Point: All who profess the Lord as their Lord are to bring glory to His name.
Balancing Your Life
Blessed are the balanced; they shall outlast everyone
In Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life, he says that God has five purposes for your life which you must keep in balance:
- “Love God with all your heart” – you were planned for God’s pleasure, so your purpose is to love God through WORSHIP.
- “Love your neighbor as yourself” – you were shaped for serving, so your purpose is to show love for others through MINISTRY.
- “Go and make disciples” – you were made for a mission. So your purpose is to share God’s message through EVANGELISM.
- “Baptize them into…” – you were formed for God’s family, so your purpose is to identify with His church through FELLOWSHIP.
- “Teach them to do all things …” – you were created to become like Christ so your purpose is to grow to maturity through DISCIPLESHIP.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31
Question: Does the Bible CLEARLY Teach That Our MAIN Purpose is to Glorify God?
There is a difference between saying the Word tells us to do all things to God's glory and saying that this is the MAIN purpose of man. After all, the Bible says to rejoice evermore, give thanks for all things, and summarizes the Law as love. In the church, we are to do all things for edification.
Ps. 86:9, Ps. 86:12, John 17:1-3, Romans 15:8-9, I Peter 2:12, I Peter 4:16, Rev. 15:4
Above, I mentioned that there are many verses that say all is about this or that. There is a big difference between saying, "Do all things to God's glory" and "Your main purpose for existing is to glorify God." It is not so much that I disagree with you, but the logic is lacking. It is a case of truth vs. whole truth. Deut. 30:5-6 says that the sign of regeneration is a heart that loves God, not one that glorifies God: 5 And the Lord your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. 6 And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. 7 And the Lord your God will put all these curses on your foes and enemies who persecuted you.
In Matthew 22:36, Jesus says LOVING God is the greatest commandment. This means, therefore, either (a) there is no commandment to glorify God in the Old Testament, which is suspicious, or (b) that Loving God is the broader command that encompasses glorifying him, or (2) [my choice] that all creation glorifies God whether beings want to or not, in either wrath or grace, and that our VOLITIONAL focus should be loving God. Note Jesus words. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment.
Is the reason why we were created the same as our main purpose? Further is giving God pleasure the same as giving Him glory?
The following verses tell us why we were created: Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Isaiah 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. These verses spell out the most basic expectations for what we as his created beings should be doing in order to glorify Him.
What about Ecclesiastes 12:13? "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Now while it is true that God will be glorified if I fear Him and keep His commandments (so it may be argued that the Glory is theologically deduced) I think a fairly good argument can be made from this verse, and others, that my responsibility is to fear God and keep His commandments, not just "glorify Him." So at the very least more than one "main" responsibility exists.
The duty/responsibility of man vs the purpose for his existence - they are not necessarily the same thing. The reason/purpose for which we were made was to glorify God, but as creatures who are created for His glory, we have duties/responsibilities/expectations from God.
All CREATURES and things were made to glorify God, but man's volitional duties are summarized either in Ecclesiastes or as the 2 Great Commandments. The rest of creation really cannot do that. So, whereas we should be concerned about glorifying God (for it is commanded), our focus needs to be on loving God and others, also defined as fearing God and obeying his commands.
Conclusion
We tend to think of salvation in terms of the benefits that we derive from it. We focus on forgiveness, peace of mind and heart, hope, heaven, and so forth. Certainly all those benefits are valid and are to be celebrated as the Lord’s blessings that come to all who have professed faith in Christ as the living Lord and Savior.
That being said, salvation is not just about us. It is about more than what we can get out of it. We were created, redeemed, saved, and bought into a right relationship with God through Christ for His sake as well.
Hope to see you this Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
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