What is man's purpose?

Man’s Purpose: A Comprehensive Topical Exploration

1. Created in the Image of God

Genesis establishes a foundational truth: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness…’” (Genesis 1:26). Being made in the image of God is a defining aspect of humanity’s purpose. This status underscores a unique relationship with the Creator, setting humans apart from the rest of creation. The creation timeframe, based on a plain reading of biblical genealogies, places this special event relatively recently in earth’s history, consistent with a young-earth perspective.

This fundamental truth is also supported historically. Ancient Jewish texts preserved among the Dead Sea Scrolls align with the Genesis account and show remarkable textual consistency, reinforcing the legitimacy of the created order described in Scripture. When we recognize the reliability of these ancient sources, it further affirms the authority of Scripture in describing humanity’s origins and inherent dignity.

2. To Glorify and Worship God

Scripture repeatedly points to the praise of God as central to humankind’s reason for existence. Revelation 4:11 declares, “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power. For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and came to be.” Worship is not confined to religious ceremonies alone; it encompasses all expressions of life. First Corinthians 10:31 exhorts us, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.”

The archaeological discovery of ancient worship sites in Israel and surrounding regions provides external evidence that devotion and reverence to a higher Being have always been central to the human experience. In these findings, we see that God’s people consistently made worship a centerpiece of daily life, echoing the biblical summons for humanity to bring honor to Him as Creator.

3. Fellowship with the Creator

Another key aspect of man’s purpose is close fellowship with God, as highlighted in Genesis 3:8, indicating that God walked in the garden where He placed Adam and Eve. This implies a personal relationship. Humanity is designed for communion with God, to know Him intimately and delight in His presence.

Importantly, humanity’s separation from God through sin (Genesis 3) has been reconciled through Christ’s atoning work. The resurrection of Christ—historically attested by multiple New Testament manuscripts and corroborated by early creed statements recorded in 1 Corinthians 15—restores believers to this original fellowship. Verified with great manuscript evidence, the Gospels testify that Jesus rose bodily from the dead, affirming that He is the pathway back to the Creator.

4. Reflecting God’s Character in the World

Humanity is called to mirror God’s holiness, justice, mercy, and love in earthly life. Leviticus 19:2 states, “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” While originally addressed to the Israelites, the principle extends to all who would follow God. Jesus exemplifies this throughout the Gospels and explicitly commands His followers, “Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). This moral and spiritual reflection sets believers apart in a world that often disregards divine standards.

Scientific findings throughout history have showcased the remarkable capacities of humans to reason, create, and execute free will—traits consistent with bearing the stamp of a Designer. Even in modern fields like behavioral science, human cognition and conscience stand out as evidence for a moral framework embedded by God.

5. Obedience and Devotion through God’s Commandments

The concluding remarks of Ecclesiastes emphasize humanity’s responsibilities: “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Obedience is both an act of worship and a testimony of loyalty to the Creator-King.

From documents such as the Tel Dan Inscription (which affirms the historical existence of King David) to other archaeological and literary findings, there is remarkable alignment between known historical events and biblical narratives that highlight God’s faithful guidance of those who keep His commandments.

6. Reconciliation and Redemption through Christ

Although sin disrupted humanity’s direct fellowship with God, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son” (John 3:16). Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection furnish the sole path to salvation and the restoration of man’s relationship with the Creator (1 Peter 3:18). This redemptive plan is at the core of all Scripture, from the first promise of a redeemer in Genesis 3:15 to the final joy of eternal fellowship in Revelation 22.

Early Christian writers like the Apostle Paul affirm how Jesus’ resurrection is central to our hope (1 Corinthians 15). Many historians and apologists have documented the early attestation of the resurrection, pointing to the empty tomb, recorded appearances, and the transformation of the disciples as lines of evidence. These facts underscore the certainty and life-changing importance of Christ’s victory over death.

7. The Great Commission: Extending Hope

Man’s purpose also includes sharing the good news. After His resurrection, Jesus charged His followers: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). This commission expands humanity’s role from worship and obedience to also inviting others into the same saving relationship with God.

Manuscript reliability—supported by scholars and evidenced by collections like the Chester Beatty Papyri and codices such as Sinaiticus and Vaticanus—confirms the continuity and authenticity of the gospel texts. These ancient witnesses bolster confidence that the commission we read now is the same directive Christ originally gave His followers.

8. Living in Hope of Eternity

Believers’ ultimate purpose extends beyond temporal concerns. Jesus promised eternal life, calling His disciples to store treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19–21). Romans 8:18 comforts us with perspective: “I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.” Therefore, a forward-looking hope characterizes those who know Christ, shaping ethical choices and values in the present world.

Geological examples like the global flood narrative in Genesis 6–9—supported by widespread flood legends and fossil evidence of rapid burial—point toward a God who acts in history and points believers toward a future redemption. This sense of God’s timeline, from creation to promised restoration, reminds us of our place in His unfolding plan.

9. Practical Application and Daily Devotion

• Worship: Cultivate consistent personal and corporate worship. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4).

• Obedience: Reflect God’s moral character by aligning daily choices with scriptural commands, extending compassion and justice toward others.

• Prayer: Preserve nearness to God through prayerful communion (Philippians 4:6–7).

• Proclamation: Share the good news of salvation in Christ, fulfilling the Great Commission.

• Hope: Keep eyes fixed on Christ’s return, trusting in the promise of resurrection and eternal fellowship with God.

10. Conclusion: Glorifying God as Life’s Chief End

Summarily, man’s purpose is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever, living in a way that fully recognizes His sovereign design, redemptive plan, and sustaining grace. Scripture—demonstrably reliable through manuscript, archaeological, and historical evidence—reveals that humanity is created in the image of an eternal, personal God, redeemed through Christ’s resurrection, and called into purposeful fellowship with Him.

In all, the biblical teaching stands consistent: we exist to honor God by reflecting His character, obeying His Word, and sharing the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ. This eternal purpose is available to any who respond in faith, uniting worship and daily living under the reign of the One who created, redeemed, and sustains us.