God created each of us with a purpose in mind. As believers, God calls us to live lives that align with His greater plan for humanity. Many theologians boil down God’s overarching purpose for our lives into five key areas:
To love God
The greatest commandment, according to Jesus, is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Our primary purpose is to have an intimate, personal relationship with God. We were designed for connection with our Creator.
Practically speaking, loving God looks like pursuing His heart through reading scripture, praying, worshipping, and living in obedience to His commands. It includes both private spiritual disciplines and corporate worship within Christian community. Loving God encompasses our thoughts, words, and actions.
To love others
The second greatest commandment is to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). God calls us to sacrificial, Christ-like love for the people around us. We are to love others in word and deed.
We love others by using our unique gifts and talents to serve those in need. We love through generosity, hospitality, compassion, and friendship. When we love, we reflect the nature of God to the world around us.
To make disciples
Before ascending into heaven, Jesus commissioned his followers: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). As disciples of Jesus, we are called to share the gospel and make disciples.
We make disciples by sharing our faith, inviting others into spiritual conversation, modeling Jesus’ example, praying for the lost, and teaching biblical truth. Disciple-making includes personal evangelism as well as global missions. Every believer has a part to play in the Great Commission.
To steward God’s creation
When God created the heavens and the earth, He appointed humanity as caretakers over creation. We read in Genesis that God blessed Adam and Eve and commanded them: “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28).
Part of our created purpose is to steward the earth and cultivate flourishing. We fulfill this by conserving resources, caring for the environment, and acting as responsible citizens who advocate for a sustainable society.
To glorify God
Glorifying God means reflecting His loving character and shining the light of Christ into every sphere of life. The Westminster Shorter Catechism summarizes our chief purpose as: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” As image-bearers of God, we exalt His name through creative expression, excellence in work, community service, raising godly families, political involvement, and living wholeheartedly for Christ.
Conclusion
God created you and I with intention, each for a unique purpose. Yet we all share a common calling to live for the glory of God. As we grow in loving God, loving people, making disciples, stewarding creation, and bringing Him glory, we align ourselves with His overarching purposes and experience greater fulfillment in life.