God's Ultimate Purpose

    An old song, taken from a British movie, says "What's it all about, Alfie?" Why are we here? What is my purpose? Usually it's all about us. Babies are cute and cuddly but also incredibly selfish. Do they care about your needs? No, they cry when they are wet or hungry or waking up. As we get a little older do we receive the concept of sharing the first time we hear it? No way. Some of us never get it. How about common courtesy like "please," or "thank you." As we get into the teen years, "Does anyone like me? I want friends, or a boyfriend or girlfriend. As young adults we want to get into college, the right college, or a job or a career or a spouse. It is still all about us. Sadly, as Christians, oftentimes this doesn't really change. We want God to change our situation- treating Him like a celestial vending machine- rather than learning what He wants us to do. We say, "God, give me a job." Several months later, we say, "Give me a different job." We ask for a spouse, and, after awhile, too many complain about the one He gave us.
    It is a sign of Christian maturity when we receive the reality that God may not choose to change our situation because He wants us to glorify (honor, exalt, praise) Him in our situation. Isaiah 43:7 says that we are created for His glory. Philippians 2:9-11 says that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Why? Verse 11 says "To the glory of God the Father. 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us that  whatever we do is to be done for the glory of God. If you are willing to look, you will find this theme saturating the Bible, especially in the New Testament. Some examples are Philippians 4:20, 1 Peter 4:11, and 5:11, 2 Peter 3:18, Romans 16:27 and Ephesians 1:12.
   May we follow the divine example. In John 17:4 Jesus says that He has glorified the Father. In verse 5 he prays that the Father will glorify Him. In John 16:13-14 Jesus is explaining to the disciples the ministry of the Holy Spirit whom He will send to them. He says that the Spirit will glorify Him. This theme is so central and important that we see the Persons of the Triune God glorifying One another.