Q: What is Man’s Primary Purpose?

A: Man’s primary purpose is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.

Read the following Scriptures

If you’ve ever wondered what the purpose of life is, here’s the ultimate answer. This is the reason you were created, and ultimately your joy can only be complete if this is the driving purpose of your life.

Man’s purpose cannot be found in man, but must be found in our creator. God created us in his image. In his image we were God-centered. When Adam sinned he became man(self)-centered.

…you will be like God… (Genesis 3:5)

What are some things people center their lives around other than God?

How are all these things man-centered? Do you see how this is idolatry?

What does it mean “to glorify God?”

It does not mean to make God glorious, He is already glorious, we can’t add to his inherent glory.

It does mean to reflect God’s glory – Ps19.1 – magnify (bring into view)

Creation cannot help but reflect God’s glory.

Jesus did it for us (the life we should have lived) – John 17.4

All men glorify God in the end, by life or death – Romans 9.21-23

We glorify God by doing what is right in his sight at all times and in all places: School, work, play, rest, church, home, etc.

Coram Deo is a Latin phrase that means “before the face of God.” This is how we live our lives. If you could be aware of this at all times, how would it change your behavior?

Which is more to the glory of God: a man who preaches, or one who works in a factory? Neither job carries with it more ability to magnify God’s glory. It is the attitude of the heart, the work ethic, the way the job is done that magnifies God’s glory.

The love of God is not God’s making much of us, but God’s saving us from self-centeredness so that we can enjoy making much of him forever. And our love to others is not our making much of them, but helping them to find satisfaction in making much of God. True love aims at satisfying people in the glory of God. Any love that terminates on man is eventually destructive. It does not lead people to the only lasting joy, namely, God. Love must be God-centered, or it is not true love; it leaves people without their final hope of joy. – John Piper ¹

1. John Piper - The Goal of God’s Love May Not Be What You Think It Is