Rediscovering the Purpose of Life
If you asked 100 believers what the ultimate purpose of life is, you’d probably get 100 different answers—“to find your calling,” “to fulfill your dreams,” “to walk in purpose.”
But biblically, the answer has little to do with us. Everything God has ever done—or ever will do—is for His own glory.
“Oh yeah, yeah, I knew that,” they say… But the fact that what came to mind first was themselves is telling.
We tend to think God exists to serve us—to glorify our lives, our dreams, and our comfort. But Scripture shows us something far more profound: God glorifies Himself because He is our greatest good.
The Purpose of Life: God’s Glory, Not Our Gratification
“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” — Romans 11:36
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31
From creation to eternity, everything exists for the glory of God—not the satisfaction of man.
Our culture says, “Follow your heart.”
The Bible says, “Follow Christ.”
We subtly turn Christianity into a way to get our desires met now, as though God were a tool for our fulfillment. But if even eating and drinking can glorify God, there’s no area of life where we’re permitted to live for our own glory.
The Empty Ego
Paul warned the Corinthians not to be “puffed up,” asking,
“What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)
Tim Keller once described the ego as:
Empty — hungry for meaning
Painful — easily wounded by criticism
Busy — always comparing
Fragile — inflated by praise, deflated by failure
That’s the natural state of the flesh: always looking for applause. But Galatians 5:24 reminds us that “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Many believers feel anxious and unfulfilled—not because God has failed them, but because they’re still chasing their own glory in Jesus’ name.
Paul’s life proves the opposite.
Beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned, hungry, cold—yet still declaring:
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
Why? Because even in suffering, Christ’s glory was his joy.
Misunderstood Scripture: Psalm 37:4
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
This verse isn’t about getting whatever you want if you’re good enough. It’s about God reshaping what you want.
When you truly delight in Him, He places His desires into your heart. It’s not about God fulfilling your wishlist—it’s about Him rewiring your heart to crave what truly satisfies: Himself.
John Piper said it beautifully:
“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
If you’re not living in delight, you’re not feasting on Him. And if you’re not feasting on Him, you’re not glorifying Him.
You’re hungry? He’s the Bread of Life.
You’re thirsty? He’s the Living Water.
You’re weary? He’s your rest.
Jonathan Edwards wrote,
“The happiness of the creature consists in rejoicing in God… by which also God is magnified and exalted.”
The Gospel Identity
“It is the Lord who judges me… then each one will receive his commendation from God.” — 1 Corinthians 4:4–5
The world says: Performance → Verdict
The Gospel says: Verdict → Performance
Christ has already secured the verdict—you are loved, accepted, and approved in Him.
We don’t glorify God to be loved.
We glorify Him because we are loved.
You are not your success, your gifts, or your following.
You are a worshiper—created to glorify God.
“To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.” — Ephesians 3:21
The Glorious Exchange
The Christian life isn’t about achieving your potential—it’s about being conformed to His image (Romans 8:28–29).
To glorify God means:
Saying “no” to the flesh even when it feels right.
Embracing surrender, obscurity, and suffering if it glorifies Him.
Being content even when you’re not recognized, as long as He is.
How to Glorify God Instead of Gratifying Yourself
Delight in God Daily
Don’t read Scripture to check a box—read to treasure Him.
Ask: Do I enjoy God, or just use Him to get what I want?Submit Your Desires
Pray like Jesus: “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
Lay down your dreams, ambitions, and goals at His feet.Live With Eternal Perspective
Some of God’s best promises aren’t for this age, but for eternity.Forget Yourself, Focus on Jesus
Serve without recognition.
Obey when it’s hard.
Rejoice when others get the spotlight.
Be the stagehand who delights when the star gets the applause.
The Final Word
If even your breakfast can glorify God, then every part of your life can too—your career, your trials, your relationships, your story.
You were made for His glory, not your gratification.
And that’s a good thing.
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name be the glory.” — Psalm 115:1
John Piper once said:
“God must be self-exalting in order to satisfy your soul…
God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
So may your life, your words, and your worship echo this truth:
He alone deserves the glory.
