Why did God create man? Why did God create us?

Bible Question:

Why did God create man? Why did God create us?

Bible Answer:

Have you wondered why did God create man? Some people have asked, “Was God lonely?” We are never told in precise language why God created man. But we know that God created man in His image.  However, some passages do leave hints as to why God made us,  There are two major opinions among theologians that we will discuss.

 

Did God Make Us Because He Was Alone?

The first reason that some people believe God created us was that He was alone. Some Christians say God wanted fellowship. They will cite 1 John 1:1, 3 that says,

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life . . . that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:1, 3 (NASB)

But the passage never says that we were created for the purpose to have fellowship with God. Nor does it say that God was alone. The two verses simply say that the apostle John was sharing his experience with Christ so that Christians may have fellowship with the apostles and other Christians. Fellowship is the result of a person’s growing relationship with God. It is the overflow of a person’s relationship with God.

So, does He love us? The answer is yes! (John 3:16). Scripture teaches that God is infinitely perfect in all of His attributes. The word infinite implies that God does not lack perfection in any attribute. Consequently, God does not need anything. Therefore, God is not lonely. He loves us because that is His character. It is to our benefit to then love Him in response.

Did God Create Us for His Glory?

The second reason given by theologians as to why God created us is to give Him glory. The following two verses are often quoted.

Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Isaiah 43:7 (NASB)

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NASB)

The first passage refers to the nation of Israel (see Isaiah 43:1). Isaiah 43:7 then says that God created the nation for His glory. God does not say anything about anyone else; however, God may have created us for His glory too!

1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us what our purpose on this earth should be. Although it does not say that is why we were created,  it does state that our purpose in life is to give Him glory. At first, this may seem strange to us that we are supposed to give God glory. We can ascribe our sinful, self-centered motives upon God; but if we do, we forget that we are sinners and He is holy. We think this way because we are sinful. We are not God. A holy being deserves our honor and glory. It is sin for us to not give honor and respect to our Creator. We would reveal our self-centeredness by refusing to give Him glory. Listen to this tremendous passage.

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
Has it not been declared to you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is He who sits above the vault of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
He it is who reduces rulers to nothing,
Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.
Scarcely have they been planted, Scarcely have they been sown,
Scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth,
But He merely blows on them, and they wither,
And the storm carries them away like stubble.
To whom then will you liken Me
That I should be His equal?” says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high
And see who has created these stars,
The One who leads forth their host by number,
He calls them all by name;
Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power
Not one of them is missing.
Isaiah 40:21-26 (NASB)

We are mere grasshoppers compared to Him. It is arrogance for us to not give Him all glory. Should the grasshopper consider himself to be greater than God and deny Him honor?  Therefore, The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks the question, “What is the chief end of man?” The answer is, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.”

Conclusion:

Why did God make us? God created man to bring Him glory (Isaiah 43:7). Yet. God says that we can be His friend as Abraham was His friend.

. . . the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God. James 2:23 (NASB)

If you are a believer and are His child, do you want to be God’s friend? How can you be Jesus’ friend?

You are My friends, if you do what I command you. John 15:14 (NASB)

This is the mark of a real relationship with God. It starts by believing, trusting, or depending on Jesus, our God, for the forgiveness of our sins (1 John 3:23). Our love relationship is then evidenced by obedience (1 John 5:3). That is the beginning and future of a friendship with God.

Suggested Links:

Creation and Fall of Man – origin of the creation and sin
God's Image — What does made in the image of God mean?