The first question of the Westminster Catechism is, “What is the chief end of man?” Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. Isaiah wrote, “bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name-whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” (43:6-7) The Apostle Paul said it this way in 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Glory is the infinite & intrinsic value- unsurpassable worth that God has in Himself. This includes His moral excellence, worthiness, greatness, preeminence, and His beauty. And He created us to bring Him glory, by loving Him, treasuring Him as infinitely valued and worthy above all things, then reflecting his goodness and greatness to the world. Creation with a purpose!
So Church lets ask this question as we wrap up 1 Peter, “Does that include suffering?” Yes it does! The hard truth is that the glory of God excels most brightly, most fully, and most beautifully in us and to the world when His grace is enough and on display. No wonder that Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God, came in the flesh to suffer and die to redeem sinners like us. For it was His suffering unto death, which is the supreme, sharpest, surest display of the glory of the grace of God. Revelation 5:9-12 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”