The Purpose of Man’s Creation

By Kent Heaton

The eternal question of man is why he exists. Through every generation men search for answers to a pur­pose for his existence. The false assumption of evolution is man grasping at his own pride god to find answers within himself to his beginning. Fears surround the lives of men who have no hope of anything after death. Caught between the unanswered questions of his creation and the uncertain future in death man lives with no purpose in today.

“In the beginning God created the heav­ens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) is the most profound statement in the history of man. From these ten simple words the Crea­tor sweeps across the millennia of time and gives man his beginning, his present, and his end. We are created beings with a pur­pose. Our purpose is found in the grandeur of our creation. “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own im­age; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:26-27). We bear the image of our Creator.

The creation of man is not a pool of green slime that works itself through the animal chain to some higher animal. Our Creator formed us with a purpose and a de­sign. Our creation bears the mark of an infi­nite and wise Creator. Our lives are marked with the celebration of our birth by two be­ings that brought us into the world through the procreated plan of the Creator. We are not half animal and half human. Our begin­ning did not begin with chance. Every indi­vidual shares the common factor of parents and this shows the power of creation.

From the scriptures God declares His pur­pose of our creation. “Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him" (Isaiah 43:7). “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand” (Psalms 95:6-7). Man is created for the glory of God. The problem of man has always been worshipping his own creation and giving glory to his own works. Pride is an evil god that denies the true God.

The purpose of man can be found in the greatest gift of God - His Son. What value is there to give one’s life for an animal? None! How can the sacrifice of God be measured by the giving of His only begotten Son (John 3:16)? The gift is indescribable. “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8). That is the purpose of man.

Man is created to give glory to his Crea­tor. We can stand in awe of the wonders of creation and marvel with inquiring eyes at the heavens above. But nothing can tran­scend the sacrifice of God’s Son as the fo­cus of man’s existence and purpose in life. “For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world" (John 6:33). Life has purpose be­cause Jesus died for me. That single act of love tells me where I came from, why I am here and where I am going when I die. Now that is purpose. Praise God and give glory to Him who made us! &

God's Will for Good

By Shane Williams

The apostle Paul told the Christians at Thessalonica that he wanted to visit them but was hindered by Satan: "But we brethren, having been away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wanted to come to you -- even I, Paul, time and time again -- but Satan hindered us." (1 Thess. 2:17,18).

Does it bother you that a Christian can be hindered, even obstructed by the devil from doing what he believes to be the Will of God? If it does, remember that nothing hap­pens without God's knowledge. His pur­poses will be accomplished. The Lord can take any deed and turn it around for His own purposes and glory. We see this throughout Israel 's history, when God used the wickedness of other nations to bring about His Will to punish Israel .

Joseph's brothers had sold him into sla­very. When Joseph later becomes a ruler in Egypt , his brothers feared he would seek revenge upon them. Joseph told them: "You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good." (Gen. 50:20).

In our example of Thessalonica, however, remember that the hindering of Paul re­sulted in great benefit to Christians! Not just the Thessalonians but ALL Christians. Since Paul couldn't speak to the Thessalonians personally, he wrote them a letter.

How blessed we are to have these two let­ters that Paul wrote to them! It has been a rich blessing for many for almost 2,000 years.

What a comfort to know that nothing hap­pens apart from the Will of Our Heavenly Father! He is all-wise and all-powerful. Under God's control even bad things can be turned around to accomplish His Good Pur­poses.

Will you seek to do God's Will in your life? God's Will will be done. Will you be a part of it? (The Lilbourn Light, Vol. 10, No. 11, March, 2010). &