Confession of faith

"The chief end of man is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever."

from the Westminster Confession of Faith

I can be argumentative on occasion. Fortunately, Andrew and I have similar views when it comes to our faith and the "big issues." There's some differences, naturally, but nothing that would hinder our growth as a couple or growth as Christians. 

I did; however, grill him about the Westminster Confession of Faith and why he thinks it's so necessary. After all, we have the Bible, which we both believe is God-breathed. Why would we need this Presbyterian, Westminster Confession of Faith- book. 

That question was asked a few months ago. Andrew gave me a very good answer, and I came to agree with him. I liked to concept of telling people why you believe what you do, and how you function as a church. 

This book was brought to our attention again this past weekend. I came home to Andrew painting Saturday night, and I told him that I was bothered by this phrase I'd been hearing these last few months. Various people keep talking about being a "good person" and "living right." As in, If I'm a good person, and I'm not killing people, I think God is okay with that.

The first thing I think is I'm not a "good person." Really I'm not. {"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Rom.3:23}

And then Andrew brings to my attention this book that I had previously discussed with him: The Westminster Confession of Faith.

It's a "profession of belief" as it states in the foreword. From 1643-47, church leaders gathered and secluded themselves in unbelievable prayer and fasting to gain a "faithful subordinate standard for Christians who hold the belief in the plenary inspiration of the Bible."

On Sunday before church, we read various passages throughout this book that abundantly supplies Scripture backing up every statement these early leaders make. It was such a wonderful thing to read with my husband on an early Sunday morning. Things like this don't happen often, but I was able to humble myself to be teachable and gain much insight.

We skipped a few chapters and came across probably the most popular phrase in this book:

What a phrase it is: "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever."

On Sunday, we were invited to attend a bible study on Monday night. You can imagine our smiles when last night, the leader of our study said, "and man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever, right?" It was in passing, but it was so delightful to hear. 

Has that ever happened to you? You learn a new word, then you hear it 4 times the following week? Or you think someone needs to hear a certain Scripture to convict their hearts and then God does that to you by showing you the same word or Scripture over and over again? 

It happened to me. Even though I know what it means to walk with Christ doesn't mean that I always do. It doesn't mean that glorify and enjoy Him always. 

I think God is requiring and asking for a lot more than just being a "good person", whatever that means anyway. We are to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever!