What is my purpose in life? Why am I here? Oftentimes our lives are so consumed with making a living that we don’t take the time to address these larger, more important questions. The Holy Scriptures are faithful to guide us in these matters. The Apostle John informs us “Thou are 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” (Revelation 4:11). You and I are included in “all things” created by God. Consequently, the Apostle Paul concludes “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31).
What does it mean then to glorify God? For one thing, God is glorified by our good works. Jesus testified to this when he commanded “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16; emphasis added). Peter spoke similarly when he wrote to believers scattered throughout various provinces of the Roman Empire. “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; have your conversation [manner of life] honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they should behold, glorify God in the day of visitation” (I Peter 2:11-12; emphasis added).
The Scriptures teach us that we cannot do these good works apart from knowing Christ as our Savior for “there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Romans 3:12). The good works that Jesus and Peter spoke of are born out of a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. In fact, Paul teaches us that they are the very product of our salvation in Christ. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10; emphasis added). This teaches us that our works do not save us. Instead, Christ’s work on the cross is that which save us and produces in us the good works that Jesus commends.
Walking in the revealed will of God, that which he has ordained, results in good works that glorify God. These works glorify God because they perfect his image in us, his children. Just as our own children bear our likeness, we take on as God’s dear children born of His Spirit his image when we walk in his will. This glorifies God and he delights in his image renewed and made increasingly manifest in his children.
We were created to glorify God. We will not know true contentment, satisfaction, and joy until we fulfill our purpose. How do you see your purpose? Do you see it through the lens of Scripture and God’s revelation? God’s intended purpose for you is good for “the LORD is good to all” (Psalm 145:9). James reminds us that God himself is the very Source of all goodness “for every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17; emphasis added).
Pursuing his glory begins with faith in Christ Jesus. From there “Thou will show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).
From the Chaplain 