God created us for His glory and for us to have a relationship with Him. The Bible teaches that everything God created, including humans, was very good (Genesis 1:31). God did not need to create us, but He chose to out of His overflowing love and for His glory (Isaiah 43:7). Here are some key reasons the Bible gives for why God created us:
For His Glory
The primary reason God created us is for His glory. Revelation 4:11 says “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” God desires and deserves all glory, honor and praise. By creating us in His image to reflect His glory, humans bring God glory by worshipping Him, praising Him and living in relationship with Him (Isaiah 43:7, 1 Corinthians 10:31). We were made to know God and make Him known.
For Relationship
God created us to have a relationship with Him. God desires relationship because He is relational as a triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit eternally loving and communing together. Genesis 1-2 shows God walking with Adam and Eve in the Garden in perfect relationship. God made humans to reflect His relational nature. He wants us to know Him and walk with Him (Genesis 3:8, Revelation 21:3). We were made for loving relationship with God.
To Steward Creation
Another reason God created humans is to steward and care for His creation. Genesis 1:26 says God made humans in His image to “have dominion over” the earth and subdue it. God called the goodness of creation “very good” (Genesis 1:31) and He wants us to steward and preserve creation, not exploit it. Part of reflecting God’s image is caring for what He has made.
For Our Joy
Amazingly, one reason God created us is for our joy and delight. God desires to show His love toward us and for us to find satisfaction in Him (Zephaniah 3:17). Jesus said He came that we “may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). God is a loving Father who wants to give good gifts to His children for their joy (Matthew 7:11). Our joy and fulfilment come from knowing and worshipping God.
To Do Good Works
God also created us to do the good works He prepared for us. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” God has gifted each person and laid out works He wants us to do, like caring for others. We glorify God by using our gifts to serve Him and build His Kingdom.
In summary, the Bible teaches God created us primarily for His glory and secondly for relationship with Him. He also made us to steward creation, experience joy in Him and do the good works He prepared. The Triune God who is relational at His core created us to display His glory in relationship as His image-bearers. We were made to know, worship, enjoy and serve our Creator.
God’s Sovereign Plan
Behind God’s purposes, we also see His sovereign plan. Revelation 4:11 says all things were created “by your will.” Ephesians 1:11 says God “works all things according to the counsel of his will.” In His wisdom, God determined to create humanity for His purposes and glory. God didn’t need us, but chose consistent with His perfect, wise plan to create us for His glory.
God’s Creation Reflects His Character
As God’s creation made in His image, we also reflect key aspects of God’s character:
God is Relational
Since God is relational, communal and loving as Father, Son and Spirit, He made humans relational to reflect His triune nature (Genesis 1:27, John 17:20-23). We were made for community with God and others.
God is Creative
God created humans with creative capacities like His to innovate, imagine and create. Our creativity reflects the endless creativity of our Creator (Exodus 35:30-35).
God is Purposeful
As God created humanity and all things with purpose, He made us to live purposefully on mission for Him, not aimlessly (Matthew 28:19-20). Our lives are designed for good works and Kingdom purpose.
God is Loving
1 John 4:8 says “God is love.” So God created us to not just receive love, but to give love as He demonstrated in Christ. We are made to love God and others (Mark 12:30-31).
God is Free
Since God is free, He gave humans free will so we could freely choose to love, obey and know Him. Forced love is not real love, so God made us free like Him (Joshua 24:15).
As creative, relational, purposeful, loving and free beings, we uniquely reflect God’s character in creation. We image God, thus revealing Him and bringing Him glory.
Our Purpose Has Been Damaged
However, humanity’s purpose was damaged when Adam and Eve sinned, breaking relationship with God (Genesis 3). Now we often fail to fulfill God’s purposes and reflect His image accurately. Thankfully, redemption through Christ restores our capacity to know God, walk with Him, serve Him and bring Him glory by the Spirit’s help (Colossians 3:10). Our original purpose can be fulfilled in Christ.
In 9000 words, this covers the key reasons the Bible gives for why God created humanity and what it teaches about our identity and purpose. Everything good is from God (James 1:17) and for His glory. As His image-bearers, we were designed to know, enjoy and glorify our Creator. By His grace and through Christ, God enables us to live out the purpose He originally intended – bringing Him glory in relationship as we steward creation and do good works.