What is man’s chief end? A: To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
The Westminster shorter catechism starts with this question and so does Thomas Watson in his Body of Divinity which I have the pleasure to be in a book club discussing.
The discussion on how we glorify God and enjoy Him forever initially brought forward good comments … those that you may expect in a group of folks discussing Thomas Watson’s exposition of the Westminster shorter catechism. But into the discussion and then subsequent discussion with my wife, it became clear to me what man’s purpose was NOT: making yourself happy! Now, I know that the second part of the catechism answer is to enjoy Him forever, but I think a lot of us unknowingly grab onto the word “enjoy” and then like to reason that we should make decisions that we enjoy. I’m sure that you’re chomping at the bit to give me plenty of examples when the decisions we make that we do enjoy are proper and see our chief end supported in those decisions, but I’m speaking from personal conviction in that I believe our practical nature imposes our selfish desire for joy when seeking to glorify God rather than seeking to glorify ONLY God in our decisions (and if we find His pleasure in those decisions - praise God).
When considering Watson’s views on bringing God glory, it dawned on me (after reading it in black and white) that glorifying God as man’s chief end was to do only what He designed us to do. That is to say we are malfunctioning men (or women) when we do not glorify God.
Rom 11:36 – For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
1Cor 10:31 – Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Rev 4:11 – “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
My good friend, Jules, has listed out 17 specific ways from the Body of Divinity that we may glorify God in her post. God is good. May we be able to show Him.
JB1
