Now, what does this show about the goal of God in the world? If there is a God, as I believe there is, and if he rules the world in his sovereignty, as the Bible says he does, and if he will bring human history to a close according to his plan and appoint to every person his eternal destiny, as Jesus taught that he will, then two of the most important questions for any human being to answer are these: For if we dont know his goal and our lives are not in alignment with it, then we will find ourselves at cross-purposes with God and excluded from his kingdom in the age to come. One of the most elementary teachings of the Christian faith is that there is a God and you are not him. Two things cry out to be stressed in our day. Why worship God? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. We were created as worshipping beings. And surely I dont have to tell you in detail that this perspective of God-centeredness has been lost in our day, even in the churches. In the fourth chapter of Revelation, John sees a vision of God on his throne in heaven. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. I love you. Is that the answer? Both are impossibilities. It is because of these names and attributes that God must be worshipped. It is a staggering but necessary thought that God has always existed, that he never came into being, and that everything which exists which is not God is from his fullness and can never add anything to him which did not come from him. First, What is Gods goal in creating and governing the world, especially in creating and overruling humanity? There it was again. The very first chapter in Genesis gives us an indication for the fourth reason as to why God created us. He is our creator, Lord, and redeemer. But he is much more than that. We are not blind chance circumstances where all the odds were perfectly aligned. To help you get started, we would love to send you a free Bible and other resources to help you grow in your faith. People go to extraordinary lengths as they flock to those they admire, hands raised high. As my creator, God is indeed worthy of my worship. God has freely chosen to depend on the worship and prayers of his Spirit-filled church in order to make his kingdom known. So, why does God want our praise and worship? Want to start a relationship with God? Why Would God Need People to Worship Him? God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth., For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.. If any person demands our worship, we write him or her off as arrogant, prideful, and self-centered. He is the sovereign Lord, the ruler of heaven and earth. John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. We can summarize the reason why God created us in this sentence: We were created by God to worship Him, to glorify Him, predestined to do good works for Him, to share Jesus Christs gospel with the lost, and to enjoy Him for eternity. I can sympathize with their difficulty; I suspect a great deal of their struggle occurs as they imagine Gods request within their own experience of how humans are to relate to one another. One is that worship is what we were created for. It is the goal that guided his creation and governance of man from the start. 3:16). In order for Israel (Gods chosen people of that era) to be precious in Gods sight, they had to exist. In the Islamic tradition, God is considered a maximally perfect Being. It is a command to align our lives with his eternal goal. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe. However, being stuck on the questionWhy did you throw me in here? Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. God made worship good and beneficial for us, from both a worldly and spiritual perspective. Hidden sin in our lives hinders our walk with God. Answer Worship is "to give honor, homage, reverence, respect, adoration, praise, or glory to a superior being." God demands worship because He and He alone is worthy of it. 3rdEdition. In summary, He created us to worship Him due to His eternal wisdom, we just cannot comprehend why. The more we learn of this world we inhabit, the more wonderful it is revealed to be. The Bible says that God has placed eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Periodically, I will encounter an atheist who will boast that, even if God does exist, he will never worship him. We worship God becausethrough Gods wisdom and mercyHe created us that way. "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.". This time it was in a sports column. As people ministering to youth and children, we need to make sure we are leading them the right way. After each of these commands not to fear God gives his reasons why his people should not fear. This is not to say that God needed us, but he wanted us. Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. If you are not, perhaps today is the day of your salvation (2 Cor 6:2). For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. The second thing that needs to be stressed is this: God will not allow his name to be profaned indefinitely. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. God by definition is the One who is entitled to our worship; it is a necessary fact of His own existence. Its just what they do. God created us for one reason: to know Him and love Him and have fellowship with Him. One of the more helpful things I have read this year comes from Paul Tripp, who points out that we are engaged in a daily battle for glory. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Saheeh Internationals Quraan interpretation, THE QURANS ARGUMENT FOR GODS EXISTENCE. My glory I will not give to another. Thats why I said at the beginning, it is a fearful thing to be at cross-purposes with your maker. In all eternity past, He felt no loneliness, so He was not looking for a "friend." God created us so that he could love us. Labs What was his motive before there was even a people to love? And he had to pass through Samaria. But Isaiah 48:911 makes even clearer what it means for God to seek his own glory in creating and redeeming his people: For My names sake I defer my anger, E While we initially might be startled by Dawkins accusation, after a little reflection most of us probably feel theres something not quite right about his argument. OpenBible.info Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.. If God is glorious and has done glorious things, then it is entirely appropriate to make this known and celebrate it. (Quran 20:14) Since God, by definition, is the only Being that whose right is our worship, then all of our acts of worship should be directed to Him alone. I have received full payment, and more. Given these limitations, it is inappropriate for a human being to casually question God's Wisdom in asking to be worshipped. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. God created us with a drive, with a sense there is something more to life than what we experience on this earth. They tell us how to navigate the path of life safely. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Even though this text deals with Gods Old Testament people Israel, we have seen that his motives do not change from era to era and so we can apply at least that aspect of this text to the people of God in our day those who follow Christ as Savior and Lord. [3]Mahali, J. and As-Suyuti J. The psalmist David wrote, "Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness" (Psalm 29:2 NKJV). To be sure, God will save his people, he will bless us infinitely! F It may help you to understand that the English word "worship" derives from "worth-ship." 1 Why God Created Us, And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. He is retired and currently enjoys his gardens and backpacking. But this means that when God says he made us for his glory, he does not mean he made us so that he could become more glorious in himself. We have to know, love and obey God, and dedicate all acts of worship to Him alone. God is Creator of all things and He says that all things -that includes you and me were created for His pleasure (Rev. Every person everywhere worships, because worship is the fundamental drive of life. Visit the Bible online to search for words if you dont know the specific passage yourre looking for. It is a fearful thing to be at cross-purposes with your maker! Worship is our "reasonable service" (Romans 12:1) of gratitude for all God has done for us. I will gather you again. Do not misunderstand what I am saying here, God showers us with many blessings; however, He is worshipped because of who He is and not necessarily how He decidesvia His boundless wisdomto distribute His bounty. 1:12, NRSV) through our worship and witness, we do play an essential role in making known the Fathers plan to gather up all things in him (1:10, NRSV) through the Son. Perhaps we could soften Dawkins accusation: God doesnt need our worship; he simply wants us to glorify him. Let brotherly love continue. All rights reserved. If all of this is true, why wouldnt a good God repeatedly invite us to direct our adoration toward Him? This insightful and discerning book by Fox News journalist Shannon Bream is our gift to you for your generous donation to Harvest Ministries today. For some people, the answer is because its what they grew up with. If youre a skeptic reading this, it may help to begin with a little bit of perspective for how Christians understand worship. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him (1 Chron. Some people just dont like it that God commands us to worship Him. He created us for his glory! CS Lewis observed this years ago in one of his essays. And why everyone, in the end, will also worship him. It is entirely right to give God glory and for God to demand glory because he alone is worthy. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Previous post: Bible Lessons About Love: 5 Helpful Thoughts, Next post: Trust the Lord Bible Verses and Life Application. Each time the text says, "And God saw that it was good" (verses 4, 12, 18, 21, 25). But God aint us, as the country singer Steve Earle saysGod is God. Further, most believers have a deep sense that we need to say Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise (Ps. Moreover, I will save you from all your uncleanness; and I will call for the grain and multiply it, and I will not bring a famine on you. They wanted to make a name for themselves and reach even to heaven, but God frustrated their designs. First, our salvation is for Gods sake. Five times, you recall, God stands back, as it were, and takes stock of his creation. God is worthy of our worship because there is something about God that makes Him so. And my assumption is that some are here who up until this very point in your life have lived it at cross purposes with God. We might say that throughout the Bible, human flourishing is presented as worshipful life in the presence of God. What Does the Bible Say about Visiting Graves? Cairo: Dar al-Hadith, p. 302. How can I bring my life into alignment with that goal. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.[1]. Where this perspective is lost, and the magnifying of Gods glory is no longer seen as the great aim of redemption, pitiful substitutes arise man centered philosophies that exalt human value in a way that distorts the work of redemption and belittles the primacy of God. The idea here is that any object of worship must have the condition or quality of being worthy. And that causes people everywhere to worship. It raises a question. Compare Psalm 19:1; 8:1; 50:6; 89:5. While God wants us to love him, he did not necessarily create us simply so that we would worship him. We were created to glorify God. All rights reserved worldwide. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. that I may not cut you off. Further, No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day (John 6:44). Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight. We were created to worship the Lord. At the end of it all, all creation will give appropriate praise and glory (see Revelation 5). If we were to live a life full of suffering, God is still to be worshipped. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the produce of the field, that you may not receive again the disgrace of famine among the nations. (NASB). Praise the Lord! No, we were created and since we were created there is by necessity a purpose for our lives. 3. V The Banner is more than a magazine; its a ministry that impacts lives and connects us all. And He already had work in mind for them to do in their new home, the Garden of Eden, and the rest of the world. But on the other hand, nothing inspires courage and endurance and pluck for daily living like knowing the purpose of God and feeling yourself wholeheartedly in harmony with it. In The Love Stories of the Bible Speak, author Shannon Bream examines the lessons that can be gleaned from the worlds most profound love storiesnot just romantic love, but friend, family, and faith connections as well. God creating us to worship Him was inevitable. And when his people live for the praise of his glory (Eph. When that time comes, those who do not believe may think they will act in defiance of God, but, instead, they will fall on their faces before him and acknowledge that he is worthy of their worship. The Psalms are filled with calls to praise the Lord including Psalm 95:6, Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. And Jesus also tells us that It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.. And the Lord said: Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men. In verses 14 God argues like this: You should not fear because what I did for you in the past proves my love to you and my care for you. In that sense, we worship them. If you like what you're reading, you can get free daily updates through the RSS feed here. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why did God bring into existence a people whom he could regard as precious? God seeks true worshippers to worship Him in truth and in Spirit as Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well, Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks (John 4:23). Or the IDS Tower itself almost invisible, like crystal against a grey-blue sky thats glory. Man is the star in our contemporary drama and his comfort, his prosperity, and his health are the great goals. They are worshiping God and saying, You are worthy, our Lord and God,to receive glory and honor and power,for you created all things,and by your will they were createdand have their being.. That simply means there is a recognition and a sense there is . This uniquely gives Him the right to ask this of us. You can access a copy online at: https://ia800205.us.archive.org/1/items/FP158160/158160.pdf [Accessed 1st October 2016]. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. Plainly the world can not accept him because the world neither sees him nor knows him. As hard as an unbeliever tries, it is impossible to come to the Father because No one comes to the Father except through me(John 14:6b). If you enjoyed reading this article, you might also enjoy this one: THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. We are suspicious of those who blow their own trumpet and who seem to be demanding they be loved and glorified. After Jesus finishes speaking about marriage, divorce, and single unmarried life, he makes the statement "he who is able to accept it, let him accept it". Is anyone among you suffering? Praising God, then, is far more appropriate than lavishing it on our favorite athletes or actors or artists. Now God appears to need fawning admirers in order to boost his self-esteem, much like a celebrity requires Instagram followers to stay relevant. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. I think Moses is telling us, as he writes this primal history, that when ancient man refused to align himself with the goal of God, God set about a very different way of achieving that same goal. If the Bible is true and God really does command our worship, then its also true that God is worthy of it. He knows best what is good for us, and He also wants what is good for us. Lets read it in context: But now, thus says the Lord, your creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! So, fall down on your face before God and worship him. 4. There is a judgment day and the issue for every one of us will be: Have we been with God in his great goal to glorify himself or has his glory been a matter of indifference to us or even animosity? This is the chief purpose of mankind. All rights reserved. August 2, 2021 | Columns, Cross Examination | Todd Statham "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker." Psalm 95:6 Reformed Christians often recite Bible verses like this as our call to worship on Sunday morning or in our daily devotions. Why God Created Us- Conclusion. In general, Scripture teaches us that God created the world and all that is in it for His own glory and because He desired to share His life with others. Such a Being with these attributes must be prayed to, and to be asked assistance of. He possesses all the perfect names and attributes to the highest degree possible. The result of this great exchange is a slide into all sorts of unhelpful behaviours which incur the wrath of God. And until we enter into that relationship, we are falling short of what is possible and attainable to us. It was simply because he is my creator and he loved me. In his mind, the God of the Bible, especially the Old Testament, is a sadistic monster who is not worthy of his worship. Is It Biblical to Plead the Blood of Jesus? Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. God freely and graciously chooses us and binds himself to us in covenant. The fact that God has created rational creatures who would freely choose to worship Him and do good, some to the point of becoming exalted in virtue like the prophets, and then being given eternal life in the presence of God, to pass an eternity of intimate love and companionship, is the greatest story ever told. I never heard this kind of question 20 years ago, but am hearing it more and more these daysespecially as some in our world are concerned at the general rise of narcissism amongst others (never themselves, of course). God is a maximally good Being, and therefore His actions are not only good, they are expressions of His nature. Shes expressing what the old theology called aseity, or Gods total self-sufficiency. In the Islamic tradition God is considered a maximally perfect Being. Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created., God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. O What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and en If a person believes in evolution then there is no why in life. Even our bank accounts, our reputation, and our level of prestige or power can easily become objects of obsession for us. P If this is true, then we are put onto an interesting link between the story of the tower of Babel in Genesis 11 and the call of Abram in Genesis 12, which will, I think, show us that Gods goal of glorifying himself did not originate at the creation of Israel, but that this is what he was up to from the beginning. Why is it right for God to seek his own glory when he tells us in his Word we should not seek our own glory? For example, in Islamic theology, God is described as the The-Loving, and this means that His love is the most perfect love and His love is the greatest love possible. It may help you to understand that the English word worship derives from worth-ship., Worship (n.), Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed July 16, 2020, https://www.etymonline.com/word/worship, In a magazine interview Christian worship leader and artist, We might say that throughout the Bible, human flourishing is presented as worshipful life in the presence of God. This is the goal of God with which we must be aligned in our hearts and actions if we hope to escape his wrath at the judgment. That is what it means to be God; and it should humble us, Oh, how it should humble us, when we ponder his reality! It is an attempt to put into words what God is like in his magnificence and purity. Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. There are many other reasons why God is worthy of our worship (which involve love, being grateful for our blessings, etc. Then Jesus said to him, Be gone, Satan! For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: To the unknown god. What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. Now when God says that he created us for his glory, it cannot mean that he created us so that he would become more glorious, that his beauty and perfection would be somehow increased by us. What is it that at rock bottom moves God to help his people? Further, we are taught to worship no other god or idol. When John said, God is love, he no doubt meant that no matter how deep we probe into the motives of God, we will never arrive at a layer which is not love. H The Lords glory will be known and praised and displayed to the nations. Even Christians often fail to grasp this purpose but purpose there is. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Of course God is there on the stage, but only as a kind of co-star or supporting actor to round out the picture for religious and cultural expectations. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Healing Prayers to Heal the Body, Mind, and Soul. This is the resounding message of the Bible from cover to cover. The Bible clearly teaches that God uniquely created man in His own image. When we all stand before him, his glory and majesty will overwhelm each one. In fact, by nature, God entails the worthiest of every good value. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. Its a mercy we dont have to satisfy Gods needs through our worship or obedience. Verse 4 says, You are precious in my eyes . For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.. Yes, its unpleasant when a person demands praise and honor from us. Our phone operators are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to serve you: 4:11). What Was the Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible? God created you to love him. We can summarize the reason why God created us in this sentence: We were created by God to worship Him, to glorify Him, predestined to do good works for Him, to share Jesus Christ's gospel with the lost, and to enjoy Him for eternity. The Westminster Catechism says that, Mans chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. That is it! B The true God, the living God, the only God, the God of the Bible, is the One to worship. Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
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