Today we conclude our six-week consideration of “The Five Solas,” five biblical truths about the nature and purpose of salvation. The final and perhaps most foundational of these five basic truths is Soli Deo Gloria, which in Latin means, “only for the glory of God.” This biblical doctrine teaches us that the purpose of salvation is centered in the glory of God. Indeed, this truth indicates that the sole reason for human existence is to reflect God’s glory back to Him and to the created world around us.
As with the rest of “The Five Solas,” Soli Deo Gloria rests firmly on the unanimous testimony of God’s Word. For example, 1 Corinthian 10:31 says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Peter 4:11 tells us why we should serve God, namely, "so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.” And Romans 11:36 reminds us that “from Him and through Him and back to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever and ever! Amen.”
These verses remind us that God is sovereign over every aspect of the believer's life. The Christian understands that all of life (“whatever you do”) is to be lived exclusively and entirely for the glory of God (“do all to the glory of God”), because every aspect of life is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. There is no division between the so-called sacred and secular: all activities, from the seemingly mundane to the obviously momentous, are to be consecrated to God’s service and glory.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism was a document written in the 1640’s to teach Christians the most basic doctrines of the Christian faith. It is comprised of 107 questions and answers, along with hundreds of scriptural texts. The first question in the catechism asks, "What is the chief end of man?” To phrase this question in modern terms, we might ask, “Why do human beings exist?” The answer is this: “Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever." In other words, the primary reason you and I are alive is to spend eternity giving God the glory He deserves and enjoying His presence.
If you are a Christian, God created you and saved you so that you could display His glory. This means that your life has an eternal meaning and purpose that magnificently transcends the temporal and visible realm. You are alive to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!
And how do you do that? John Piper, author and preaching Pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, states it most succinctly: “God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him.” As a Christian, whether you are eating or working, playing or worshiping – indeed, in everything! – make it your aim to be fully satisfied in the presence of God, Who is with you and in you. Then your life will be lived as God meant it to be lived: Soli Deo Gloria!
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