1. Because Adam meets and talks with God
(Gen 2:15-17),
was man created for the purpose of providing fellowship for God? Consult
Job 41:11;
John 17:5, 24;
Acts 17:24-25.
It has been implied that God created man for fellowship; however, God
did not need to create man nor is He dependent on creation to be completely happy or
completely fulfilled.
There exists among the persons of the Trinity a perfect love, fellowship
and communication for all eternity.
John 17:5
reveals that there was a sharing of glory between the Father and the Son before creation.
John 17: 24
reveals that there was love and communication between the Father and the Son before creation.
No one contributed anything to God that did not first come from God
(Job 41:11).
God does not need anything from human beings
(Acts 17:24-25).
God is a distinctly unique being. Not only does He not need
creation for anything, He could not need creation for anything. God is absolutely
independent and self-sufficient.
2. Why was man created? Study
Isaiah 43:7;
62:3-5;
Zephaniah 3:17-18.
In his exhortation to the nation of Israel, Isaiah reveals that God
created man for "His glory"
(Isa 43:7).
But what does "glory" mean?
"Glory" usually refers to qualities of God’s character, such as beauty,
power, or honor, which emphasizes His greatness and authority. The Bible may use this
definition in 2 senses:
1. Glory in an abstract sense.
In this sense God’s moral beauty and perfection of character are divine
qualities that are beyond human comprehension
(Ps 113:4).
2. Glory in a tangible and visible sense.
In this sense God’s moral beauty and perfection is seen as the pillar of
cloud and fire
(Ex 13:21),
the Lord’s deliverance at the Red Sea
(Ex 14),
at the tabernacle
(Lev 9:23-24),
at the Temple
(1 Ki 8:11)
and in the form of Jesus Christ
(Luke 9:29-32;
John 2:11).
Jesus shares His divine glory with Christians
(John 17:5-6, 22)
so that they may be transformed into the glorious image of God
(2 Cor 3:18).
This is not to say that Christians are the object of glorification, but instead that God is
the object being glorified through the lives of Christians. Christians will be fully
glorified at the end of time in God’s heavenly presence
(Rom 5:2;
Col 3:4)
where the glory of God will be seen everywhere
(Rev 21:23).
"Glory" may also refer to the praise given to God. In this sense, glory
refers to the honor and praise that His creatures give to Him
(Ps 115:1;
Rev 5:12-13).
With an understanding of why man was created, the purpose of man becomes
clear. Human beings are to "do all to the glory of God"
(1 Cor 10:31).
Among all of His creations, God has determined that human beings would
be meaningful to Him; He chose to delight in us and to allow us to bring joy to His heart
(Isa 62:3-5)
References:
1. Grudem W, Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan (1994).
2. Youngblood RF, Bruce FF, and Harrison RK, eds, Nelson’s New Illustrated
Bible Dictionary, Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson (1995).
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