God’s General Purpose for Every Person

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
–Genesis 1:27

God has a general purpose for every person. Genesis 1:27 says, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” God created you and me to be His image-bearers. Through our lives, we reflect to the world that true enjoyment and satisfaction in life can only come from knowing and serving God. That is the general purpose for which we have all been created: to turn people toward God, to be an example of the satisfaction and joy that comes from knowing and obeying God. Theologians have summarized that purpose like this: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”

Now let’s unpack that general purpose. First of all, we were created to glorify God. The word “glorify” comes from a Hebrew word that literally means “heavy” or “substantive.” When we talk about glorifying God, what we are talking about is making God look heavy or substantial to an unbelieving world. We were created to point people toward God. Elijah understood that truth. He understood that his whole existence revolved around demonstrating to an unbelieving world that the God of Israel was the only true God. We have been created to glorify God.

Second, we were created to enjoy God. Enjoying God is also a part of the reason for our existence, and that in itself gives glory to God. John Piper said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Christians who go around moping, looking as if they have lost their best friend, and always complaining about this or that are terrible advertisements for God. We glorify God when we are satisfied in Him, when we are joyful in Him. Psalm 16:11 says, “You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

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Today’s devotion is excerpted from “Secret #1: Discover Your Unique Purpose” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2017.

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.