Did God create humans because he was needed someone to relate to? Was he bored and one day got really creative and produced a universe that included people?
Some speculate that God wanted or needed human relationships, so created us to remove his own aloneness. One big problem with this thinking is that it implies something is lacking in God. And yet God is perfect, nothing can be lacking. The other problem with this notion is that God has never been alone. Consisting as he does of three persons, he has existed eternally as relationship within the Godhead of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
So why did God create humans if he wasn’t lonely? He did so to give himself glory. God created us to live and enjoy relationship as he did. Jesus said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). God in effect is saying, “Become intimate with me, allow my joy to be in you, and through our close relationship you will experience the true joy of living, for you will bear the fruit of my nature—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23). And in doing so you will reflect my presence and give me glory!”
“Everything comes from him,” Scripture states, “and exists by his power and is intended for his glory” (Romans 11:36). “Give to the Lord the glory he deserves” (I Chronicles 16:29). The Bible admonishes us to “do it all for the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31), “so that in all things God may be glorified” (I Peter 4:11). To bring glory to God—that is, to exalt him, lift him up, give him praise, to reflect upon him honorable—is in fact our purpose in life.
Question: Is it hard for you to get your head around an almighty God desiring a relationship with you?
Question: If you’ve felt that your life’s purpose has eluded you, is it reassuring to know that living a life that brings God glory is all that he asks?
Content adapted from Josh and Sean McDowell’s book, 77 FAQs about God and the Bible.
