"Everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory." - Romans 11:36 (LB)
"The Lord has made everything for his own purposes." - Proverbs 16:4 (NLT)
Welcome to Day 7 of our Purpose-Driven Life journey! Yesterday we explored how earth is our temporary assignment and our true citizenship is in heaven. Today, Rick Warren reveals the foundational truth that unlocks everything else: It’s all for Him.
The Ultimate Reality Check
If you’ve been following this journey, you’ve discovered that:
- You were planned for God’s pleasure
- You were made to last forever
- Life is a test, trust, and temporary assignment
But WHY? What’s the point of it all?
The answer is both simple and revolutionary: The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the glory of God. It is the reason for everything that exists, including you. God made it all for His glory. Without God’s glory, there would be nothing.
What Is the Glory of God?
Before we can live for God’s glory, we need to understand what it means.
God’s glory is:
- Who God is – His very essence and nature
- The weight of His importance – His supreme significance
- The radiance of His splendor – His magnificent beauty
- The demonstration of His power – His awesome might
- The atmosphere of His presence – Where He is, glory is
God’s glory is the expression of His goodness and all His other intrinsic, eternal qualities.
Where Is God’s Glory?
Just look around. Everything created by God reflects His glory in some way.
We see it everywhere:
- From the smallest microscopic form of life to the vast Milky Way
- From sunsets and stars to storms and seasons
- From the complexity of DNA to the beauty of a child’s laughter
Creation reveals our Creator’s glory. In nature we learn that God is powerful, enjoys variety, loves beauty, is organized, wise, and creative. The Bible declares: “The heavens declare the glory of God.”
God’s Glory Throughout History
Throughout history, God has revealed His glory to people in different settings:
- First in the Garden of Eden
- Then to Moses on Mount Sinai
- Next in the tabernacle and the temple
- Supremely through Jesus Christ
- Now through the church
His glory has been portrayed as a consuming fire, a cloud, thunder, smoke, and brilliant light. In heaven, God’s glory provides all the light needed: “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light.”
The Perfect Revelation: Jesus
God’s glory is best seen in Jesus Christ. He, the Light of the world, illuminates God’s nature. Because of Jesus, we are no longer in the dark about what God is really like.
The Bible says: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory.” Jesus came to earth so we could fully understand God’s glory: “The Word became human and lived among us. We saw his glory… a glory full of grace and truth.”
Two Types of Glory
God’s Inherent Glory is what He possesses because He is God. It is His nature. We cannot add anything to this glory, just as it would be impossible for us to make the sun shine brighter.
But we are commanded to:
- Recognize His glory
- Honor His glory
- Declare His glory
- Praise His glory
- Reflect His glory
- Live for His glory
Why? Because God deserves it! We owe Him every honor we can possibly give. Since God made all things, He deserves all the glory.
“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything.”
The Great Failure
In the entire universe, only two of God’s creations fail to bring glory to Him:
- Fallen angels (demons)
- Us (people)
All sin, at its root, is failing to give God glory. It is loving anything else more than God. Refusing to bring glory to God is prideful rebellion – the very sin that caused Satan’s fall, and ours too.
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
None of us have given God the full glory He deserves from our lives. This is the worst sin and the biggest mistake we can make.
But here’s the hope: Living for God’s glory is the greatest achievement we can accomplish with our lives. God says: “They are my own people, and I created them to bring me glory,” so it ought to be the supreme goal of our lives.
How Can I Bring Glory to God?
Jesus told the Father: “I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do.” Jesus honored God by fulfilling His purpose on earth. We honor God the same way.
When anything in creation fulfills its purpose, it brings glory to God.
- Birds bring glory to God by flying, chirping, nesting, and doing bird-like activities
- Even the lowly ant brings glory to God when it fulfills its created purpose
- God made you to be you – and when you fulfill your purpose, you glorify Him
As St. Irenaeus said: “The glory of God is a human being fully alive!”
Five Ways to Bring Glory to God
There are many ways to bring glory to God, but they can be summarized in God’s five purposes for your life:
1. We Bring God Glory by Worshiping Him
Worship is our first responsibility to God. We worship God by enjoying Him. C.S. Lewis said: “In commanding us to glorify him, God is inviting us to enjoy him.”
God wants our worship motivated by love, thanksgiving, and delight – not duty. John Piper notes: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.”
Worship is far more than praising, singing, and praying to God. Worship is a lifestyle of enjoying God, loving Him, and giving ourselves to be used for His purposes. When you use your life for God’s glory, everything you do can become an act of worship.
2. We Bring God Glory by Loving Other Believers
When you were born again, you became part of God’s family. Following Christ includes belonging and learning to love the family of God.
John wrote: “Our love for each other proves that we have gone from death to life.” Paul said: “Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified.”
It’s your responsibility to learn how to love as God does, because God is love, and it honors Him. Jesus said: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
3. We Bring God Glory by Becoming Like Christ
Once born into God’s family, He wants us to grow to spiritual maturity. What does that look like? Spiritual maturity is becoming like Jesus in the way we think, feel, and act.
The more you develop Christlike character, the more you bring glory to God: “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.”
God gave you a new life and nature when you accepted Christ. Now, for the rest of your earthly life, God wants to continue changing your character: “May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”
4. We Bring God Glory by Serving Others with Our Gifts
Each of us was uniquely designed by God with talents, gifts, skills, and abilities. The way you’re “wired” is not an accident. God didn’t give you abilities for selfish purposes – they were given to benefit others, just as others were given abilities for your benefit.
“God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you… Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory.”
5. We Bring God Glory by Telling Others About Him
God doesn’t want His love and purposes kept secret. Once we know the truth, He expects us to share it with others. This is a great privilege – introducing others to Jesus, helping them discover their purpose, and preparing them for their eternal destiny.
“As God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ… God will receive more and more glory.”
What Will You Live For?
Living the rest of your life for the glory of God will require a change in:
- Your priorities
- Your schedule
- Your relationships
- Everything else
It will sometimes mean choosing a difficult path instead of an easy one. Even Jesus struggled with this. Knowing He was about to be crucified, He cried out: “My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Thy name.”
Jesus stood at a fork in the road. Would He fulfill His purpose and bring glory to God, or would He shrink back and live a comfortable, self-centered life?
You face the same choice. Will you live for your own goals, comfort, and pleasure, or will you live the rest of your life for God’s glory, knowing that He has promised eternal rewards?
“Anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go… you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.”
Time to Settle This Issue
Who are you going to live for – yourself or God?
You may hesitate, wondering whether you’ll have strength to live for God. Don’t worry. God will give you what you need if you just make the choice to live for Him: “Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God.”
Right now, God is inviting you to live for His glory by fulfilling the purposes He made you for. It’s really the only way to live. Everything else is just existing.
The Life-Changing Decision
Real life begins by committing yourself completely to Jesus Christ. If you’re not sure you’ve done this, all you need to do is receive and believe.
The Bible promises: “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
Will you accept God’s offer?
First, believe:
- God loves you and made you for His purposes
- You’re not an accident
- You were made to last forever
- God has chosen you to have a relationship with Jesus, who died on the cross for you
- No matter what you’ve done, God wants to forgive you
Second, receive:
- Receive Jesus into your life as your Lord and Savior
- Receive His forgiveness for your sins
- Receive His Spirit, who will give you power to fulfill your life purpose
“Whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever!”
Wherever you are reading this, I invite you to bow your head and quietly whisper the prayer that will change your eternity: “Jesus, I believe in you and I receive you.”
If you sincerely meant that prayer, congratulations! Welcome to the family of God! You are now ready to discover and start living God’s purpose for your life.
Day 7 Reflection Questions:
Point to Ponder: It’s all for Him.
Verse to Remember: “For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory.” – Romans 11:36 (LB)
Question to Consider: Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God’s glory?
Your Glory Challenge: Today, identify one area of your life where you’ve been living for yourself rather than God’s glory. Make one specific decision to honor God in that area. Then look for God’s glory in three ordinary things around you – and thank Him for what you discover.
Tomorrow’s Preview: Having established why we exist (God’s glory), we’ll begin exploring HOW we fulfill this purpose by discovering the first of God’s five purposes for your life – you were planned for God’s pleasure through worship.
How has understanding that everything exists for God’s glory changed your perspective on your purpose and priorities? Share your insights below as we prepare to dive deep into God’s specific purposes for our lives.
Learn more about Day 7 on Purpose Driven.
John Thole is the voice behind Beyond Salvation, a blog that captures the highs and lows of life through faith, laughter, and honest reflection. With a passion for storytelling, technology, and spiritual growth, he creates content that resonates with seekers, believers, and anyone navigating life’s journey. Whether sharing personal insights, devotionals, or thought-provoking discussions, John aims to inspire, uplift, and spark meaningful conversations.
