This post is the third in a series on “calling.” The first was on our identity in Christ, then the necessity of following Jesus, and today is considering the purpose of our lives.
When my children were preschool age, our church (a non-denominational, gospel-centered, Bible-believing church) taught the first 15 or so questions of the shorter catechism for children. The first five questions were:
- Q: Who made you? A: God
- Q: What else did God make? A: God made all things.
- Q: Why did God make you and all things? A: For His own glory.
- Q: How can you glorify God? A: By loving Him and doing what He commands.
- Why should you glorify God? A: Because He made me and takes care of me.
I love the simplicity of these true statements. God made us for His own glory. We glorify Him by loving Him and doing what He commands. (1 John 5:3: “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” NIV)
These catechism questions seem to indicate a purpose for those who are in Christ: to glorify God, to love Him, to obey Him. Our Creator and Savior is worthy of giving our lives to Him. When we have faith in Him, when we really believe that He is, then we will want to obey what He says, and this shows our love for Him. There is great blessing in following Christ in this way, for His glory.
1 Corinthians 10:31: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (ESV).
My Bible notes (the Nelson Study Bible, NKJV) say that glory is “derived from a Hebrew verb which is used to describe the weight of worthiness of something.” It says the word “glory” is usually “used to depict greatness and splendor.”
As I consider “calling,” I want to know my identity in Christ, my first call to follow Him, and my purpose to bring glory to His Name, to live in love and obedience to Him.
Isaiah 26:8 “Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. (NIV)
Psalm 115:1 “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”
Praise Proclaimer 