WHY DID GOD CREATE THE WORLD?

I once read an article that made this statement “God created the world to bring many sons and daughters to glory”. 

This statement is a biblical idea that has some truth in it however this is not the primary reason for the creation of the world but it’s one of the fruits of it.

In light of this, what was the primary purpose for God to create the world? For someone to answer this question correctly, it depends on the lens in which they interpret the Bible.

It is important that we have a theological understanding of the Bible rather than an anthropological understanding of it. In other words, do you read the scriptures with a God centred approach or from a humanistic standpoint? Hence, with a theological approach, let us answer this question.

What was the purpose for God to create the world?

Simply put, to reveal His glory (Isaiah 43:6-7, Proverbs 16:4, Hebrews 2:10). If this was the purpose of creation then it is important that we understand the meaning of the glory of God.

So ‘What is the glory of God’?. This can be divided into two categories. Firstly the Intrinsic glory of God, which is the sum of all His divine attributes that He revealed to us (Psalm 24:4-7, Exodus 13:21-22, Exodus 3:2-6). Secondly the Ascribed glory of God, this is the glory that is due to God (Psalm 29).

As a result of God’s intrinsic glory, His creatures should ascribe glory to Him. So we can conclude that there is the intrinsic glory of God and the ascribe glory that is due to Him.

The attributes of God’s goodness, power and beauty was revealed in His creation (Psalm 19:1-2, Genesis 1). The sun, stars, seas, plants and animals showcased the wisdom and greatness of the creator. Ultimately humans are the pinnacle of God’s creation as they reflected His image.

God’s glory comes from His grace and goodness 

Nonetheless, someone may object and say, God’s intention or purpose for creating the world for His own glory was selfishness. This objection is sort of understandable but in truth it is erroneous because one should consider the eternal self-satisfying and self existence of God. He created the world not because He had a need such as to be loved, but rather God’s intention comes from His grace and goodness (Ephesians 1:5-6, 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 11-12).

“He finds so much wondrous delight in his internal fullness and glory that he desires to pour it out in emanating light. And his abundantly flowing glory overwhelms his creatures with goodness. If he did not have this self-delight, he would not have created the world at all; he would not have emanated his glory and goodness to anyone because he would not have considered his light worth sharing. But since he does delight in himself, he pours out his emanating glory into the lives of others and fills them with joy. Furthermore, the same inclination within God that moves him to delight in his own glory also causes him to delight in the exhibitions, expressions, and communications of his glory which appear in the lives of his creatures”. Jonathan Edwards: The End for which God created the world: page 95.

The perfect blessedness of God was graciously displayed in creation and for His creatures to see and enjoy His glory. Therefore, when God created the world to display His glory it was a loving act of Him to share His perfect qualities to those who are dependant on Him for everything.

God is infinitely valuable more than all beings and things

In addition what we need to know is that God is infinitely valuable and there is no greater being or thing in the universe like Him (Isaiah 6:1-5, Isaiah 48:11).

Since God values what is infinitely valuable, it stands to reason that what is infinitely precious to God is Himself. As a result, the glorious One deserves to be glorified. The end of all things is the glory of God. Most importantly, the underpinnings of the glory of God becomes clearer in the work of redemption through His Son (John 17:4-5).

Lastly, it is important that we rightly understand the end for which God created the world as this will cause a person to delight and give God the glory that is due to Him. Ultimately, it is those who believe in His Son that can truly give glory to the glorious God of heaven.