The Westminster Shorter Catechism is a popular statement of faith, in the form of questions and answers. Awhile back, I was reflecting upon the first question:
Question 1: What is the chief end of man?
Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
To be honest, I understood the concept of “glorying God” a little better than “enjoying Him.” So, I began to focus on the last phrase (“to enjoy Him forever”). What exactly does “enjoying God” mean? What does it look like?
The footnotes to the phrase “enjoy Him forever” reference this passage:
Psalm 73:25-26, 28 GNB What else do I have in heaven but you? Since I have you, what else could I want on earth? (26) My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need… (28) But as for me, how wonderful to be near God, to find protection with the Sovereign LORD and to proclaim all that he has done!
This passage helped, but I wanted to understand more completely. So I asked the Holy Spirit to guide me to Bible passages and biblical principles that offered further insights. The following is what I began to understand as a significant part of the answer, as I began to “connect the dots” between some important biblical principles.
First, let’s remind ourselves what God has done for us through Christ’s atoning death:
Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (9) not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Colossians 1:13-14 NASB For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, (14) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Through this free gift of salvation through faith, we can boldly enter the presence of God and enjoy fellowship with Him.
Salvation changes us forever – from sinners (unrighteous) who cannot avoid constantly sinning, to saints (righteous) who still sin but are growing more and more into the likeness of Christ (through the ongoing process of sanctification).
2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB [God] made [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
This verse declares that, as believers, our nature is forever changed – we actually become the righteousness of God in Christ!
But what does this have to do with enjoying God forever?
I am beginning to understand why it is important that we use the biblically accurate description of ourselves as “saints” rather than “sinners.” If we (as followers of Jesus) continue to call ourselves “sinners,” we are denying the amazing and wonderful work of God, and in fact we are calling the following scripture a lie:
2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!
Here’s the key point: I am beginning to see that the best way to truly and consistently enjoy fellowship with God is to embrace my new identity in Christ. It makes my heart swell with gratefulness to God for this undeserved, amazing gift to me! As a result of this gratitude, I want to fellowship with Him more and more. This increased desire to fellowship with God develops an increasing enjoyment of Him – both now, and also forever in heaven.
Stated differently, my enjoyment of God grows as I learn more and more about what God says about His nature and my identity in Christ.
So, calling ourselves saints reminds us of our true identity in Christ. It is a constant and encouraging reminder of our current situation here on earth, as well as our ultimate and eternal destination in heaven. It is also a wonderful reminder of the One who provides the grace (the desire and the power) to progressively move toward that destination.
What is the destination? Standing before God in holiness and purity, with no shame or guilt, worshipping Him… and enjoying Him forever.
“Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”
Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”