on 18 March 2021
Once a week I’m going to try and write a short explanation of a question and answer on the Westminster Shorter Catechism. I’ve tried not to look at the work of others before I write as it’s nearly impossible not to regurgitate what someone else has written. So here goes.…
Q1. What is the Chief End of Man?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever
Why do we exist? What’s the reason we were put on this planet? The answer that the Bible gives us is that we exist for someone else. The big point in life is not to ‘find oneself’ or to ‘be the best you that you can be’. The reason that you and I exist is for God, to bring him honour and praise. We were made so that God would receive glory and worship. The catechism helpfully teaches us that it is as we live in this way, that we have great joy.
The world tells us ‘live for yourself’ as that’s the way to happiness because living for God will deprive us of pleasure. But the Bible’s message is the opposite: live for God and we will know joy. Joy not only now, but forever.
The most important thing we can do in life is to put God first and pray ‘Hallowed Be Your name’ and in both doing and living that, we will know the smile of God’s favour.