WSC Q.1 - What is the cheif end of man?

Question 1. What is the chief end of man?Grace,Doug

Hello brother DougFor me this passage does it…Romans 8:17-25 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.James

My favorite answer to that question is the slightly altered version...The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.This goes along with the profound notion (which I believe), that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.

John Piper's definately on to something with that one. I'm still working on really living that way, though.

That is beautiful Todd!

Isn't it though? Wish I could take the credit for any of those ideas but I can't. Check out folks like John Piper, S.J. Hill, and Mike Bickle for more of where that came from.

What is the chief end of man?The following verses answer this question for me;Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-6)Before the world was made, it was the Father's heart to have a vast family of sons and daughters conformed to the image of His beloved Son, to His praise and glory! That is our chief end.In Christ,Ron

What is the chief end of man?Yes, to all that has been posted here. [7 ] We glorify God by working out our own salvation..God has twisted together his glory and our good.We glorify him by promoting our own salvation.It is a glory to God to have multitudes of converts;now,his design of free grace takes,and God has the glory of his mercy;so that,while we are endeavouring our salvation,we are honouring God.What an encouragement is this to the service of God,to think,while I am hearing and praying,I am glorifying God;while I am furthering my own glory in heaven,I am increasing God ’s glory.Would it not be an encouragement to a subject,to hear his prince say to him,You will honour and please me very much,if you will go to yonder mine of gold,and dig as much gold for yourself as you can carry away?So,for God to say, Go to the ordinances,get as much grace as you can,dig out as much salvation as you can;and the more happiness you have,the more I shall count myself glorified.Thomas Watson: A Body of DivinityI love this little phrase; God has twisted together his glory and our good. My own answer to the 'chief end' would be Colossians For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Col 1:16-17 NASB) The 'chief end/purpose' must be that we fulfil the purpose for which we were designed... to be His.

Would it not be an encouragement to a subject,to hear his prince say to him,You will honour and please me very much,if you will go to yonder mine of gold,and dig as much gold for yourself as you can carry away?This is really good Ron...while we are endeavouring our salvation,we are honouring GodHaven't heard that word in quite awhile:Ye Old 1828 says;EndeavorENDEAV'OR, n. endev'or. An effort; an essay; an attempt; an exertion of physical strength, or the intellectual powers, towards the attainment of an object.The bold and sufficient pursue their game with more passion, endeavor and application, and therefore often succeed.Imitation is the endeavor of a later poet to write like one who has written before him on the same subject.Labor is a continued endeavor, or a succession of endeavors.ENDEAV'OR, v.i. endev'or. To exert physical strength or intellectual power, for the accomplishment of an object; to try; to essay; to attempt. In a race, each man endeavors to outstrip his antagonist. A poet may endeavor to rival Homer, but without success. It is followed by after before a noun; as, the christian endeavors after more strict conformity to the example of Christ.1. v.t. To attempt to gain; to try to effect. It is our duty to endeavor the recovery of these beneficial subjects.------------------------'Cheif End'....Joh 17:3 And this is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent-Jesus Christ.

A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God,[1] and to enjoy him forever.[2][1]Psalm 86. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. Show me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me. Isaiah 60:21. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. Romans 11:36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 1 Corinthians 6:20, 31. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.... Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Revelation 4:11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.[2]Psalm 16:5-11. The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 144:15. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Isaiah 12:2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Luke 2:10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Revelation 21:3-4. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.Grace,Doug

I know what the Westminster Catechism says is the answer to this but I disagree with that answer. I disagree because King Solomon said that the whole of man (the word "duty" in the King James Version of the passage was ADDED by the translators and wrongly changes the meaning of the passage) is to "fear God and keep His commandments." The whole of man, the end-all and be-all of man's existence according to Ecclesiastes 12 is to fear God and keep His commandments.