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Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM
We sometimes spend a lot of time talking about glorifying God, but do we know, practically, how to do that? A common belief appears to be that we glorify God when we gather in corporate worship. But Jesus had a different view:
By this is my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (John 15.8, ESV)
What is this “fruit” that the Father desires? Christian character is certainly part of it:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such
But if Christian character is all he meant by fruit-bearing, we wouldn’t have to go anywhere to do it…
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15.16, ESV, emphasis mine)
If our chief end is truly to glorify God, ought we not to spend more time bearing fruit? More time abiding in Christ, the topic of John 15, and more time investing in people. Both of which may require pruning, removing clutter, as I wrote yesterday.
By this is my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (John 15.8, ESV)