FOUNDATIONS PART 4: What is my purpose in life?

"I will say to the North, 'Give up,' and to the South, 'Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." Isaiah 43:6-7

I am a Christian Hedonist and for some, this is a new term so allow me to explain. The most succinct definition is given by John Piper, pastor for preaching at Bethlehem Baptist church, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." That is, God's glory and my joy are not in competition but are complimentary. Another way of putting it is using the short Westminster Catechism which asks the question: What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy him forever. Or to tweek it with a slight Christian Hedonist flare to it ... to glorify God by enjoying him forever. God is not interested in emotionless or passionless worship. Why? Because God is after our hearts and our affections, thus he is after our joy and happiness. To love God with a begrudging and dull heart is no love at all and it does not glorify him. We glorify that which we treasure, therefore Christ must be our greatest treasure. The glorious news is that Christ is infinitely worthy of such praise and adoration that rather than depleting us of joy and life it sustains us and invigorates us. My hope is that everyone would become a Christian Hedonist.

Returning to the main topic. What is my purpose in life? Why do I exist? The Lord tells us that HE created us and that HE called us so that WE may glorify him (Isa 43:6-7). Therefore I exist for him. I am his and not my own for I was purchased by God that I may glorify him in my body (1Cor 6:19-20). Clearly stated:

I exist to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ

I say it this way ... in part because this is how John Piper summarizes it ... but I have adopted it as my own credo. I will spend some time over the next few weeks to touch on each of the words because in a statement like that, every word counts.