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01.028. THE CHIEF END OF MAN

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Lesson Twenty-six THE CHIEF END OF MAN Scripture Reading: Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 3:16-23.

Scripture To Memorize: “Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s” (1 Corinthians 3:21-23).

115. Q. For what end are we in this world?

A. We are in this world that we may know God, and love Him, and serve Him always.

116. Q. What shall we attain by loving and serving God?

A. We shall attain eternal happiness.

117. Q. Are not the things of this world sufficient to make us happy?

A. No. The things of this world cannot possibly bring us true happiness.

118. Q. Why cannot the things of this world bring us true happiness?

A. Because all earthly things are vain and perishable and because man is made for the service of God and for eternal happiness in heaven.

James 4:14—“what is your life? For ye are a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” Cf. the testimony of Solomon, Ecclesiastes 2:9-11.

119. Q. Can man find true happiness in riches?

A. No. True happiness is not to be found in riches.

Read James 1:9-11, Luke 12:16-21.

120. Q. Can man find true happiness in worldly pleasure?

A. No. True happiness is not to be found in worldly pleasure.

Read the story of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-19.

121. Q. Can man find true happiness in the possession of worldly wisdom?

A. No. True happiness is not found in worldly wisdom.

Read the testimony of Solomon, who was one of the wisest of men. Ecclesiastes 1:12-18.

122. Q. Can man find true happiness in the possession of great power?

A. No. True happiness is not to be found in earthly power and authority.

Read the testimony of Solomon, perhaps the most powerful of ancient monarchs, Ecclesiastes 2:1-11. Ecclesiastes 2:11—“behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.”

123. Q. For what end, then, have the things of this world been given us?

A. That we may use them for the purpose of knowing and serving God.

1 Corinthians 10:31—“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Colossians 3:17—“Whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

124. Q. Why does God require us to know Him?

A. Because He is the source of all truth; and because to know Him is the secret of life eternal.

John 17:3—“and this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ.”

125. Q. Why does God require us to love Him?

A. Because He is the Giver of every good and perfect gift.

Acts 17:25—“seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” James 1:17—“every good and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” Matthew 7:11—“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Ephesians 2:8—“for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that (salvation) not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Romans 6:23—“the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

126. Q. Why does God require us to serve Him?

A. Because He is the Sovereign ruler of all things; and because serving Him will result in the greatest good to His creatures.

Psalms 148:5—“Let them praise the name of Jehovah: for he commanded, and they were created.” Acts 17:24—“the God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.” 1 Corinthians 8:6—“to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him.” Psalms 100:3—“Know ye that Jehovah, he is God; it is he that hath made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

127. Q. What will become of all those who refuse or neglect to know and love and serve God?

A. They will be separated from Him forever.

Matthew 25:30—“cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.” 2 Thessalonians 1:9—“who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might.”

128. Q. What must we do, if we would know and love and serve God, and be eternally happy?

A. We must believe what God has revealed; we must keep His commandments; we must faithfully observe all the appointments which He has ordained for our salvation and growth in holiness.

(1) “Or in other words, we must have Religion; for Religion (from religare) is the lively union of man with God, which springs from faith, charity, and grace, and is confirmed by the faithful observance of the Divine Commandments” (Deharbe’s Catechism). (2) It should be explained that the Latin verb religare means “to bind back;” hence true religion proposes and accomplishes the complete reconciliation of the creature with the Creator. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20.

129. Q. Where do we get the correct knowledge of divine truth, of the commandments of God, and of the means and appointments of divine Grace?

A. In the Holy Scriptures, and only in the Holy Scriptures.

Acts 17:11—“Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.” See also Psalms 1:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, etc. Therefore let us never neglect instruction in Christian doctrine, that we may truly learn to know God, to love Him, and to serve Him; and learn how to serve Him properly according to His own commandments and appointments; that in the end we may attain everlasting happiness in the heavenly state. This is indeed the chief end of man, and the end for which He was created in the image of God.

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him all creatures here below;

Praise Him above ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!” Amen.

REVIEW EXAMINATION OVER LESSON TWENTY-SIX 115.Q.For what end are we in this world?