The end of The END

I finished reading Jonathan Edwards' "The End for Which God Created the World" yesterday and I finished my note taking on it today. This was a six month process. I tell you the time frame not to inspire awe in the slowness of my reading, but to, with feeling, tell you there is much to be gleaned from this work.

Edwards in a very systematic approach biblically answers the age old question of, "What is the purpose of life?" Though this is not the question I desired answered. The question I began with back in December was, "What is my calling?" or more frankly, "Am I called to ministry?" And in more ways than one was my question answered.

For through the beginning of the book as Edwards reasonably shows the logic behind God's end in his creating, it is evident the same call is placed on all who believe. However it did not stop there. He continued on to discuss the matter in terms of what Scripture says, answering every nuance of the argument according to what the Bible says. The discourse being replete with Scripture pointing to this one beautiful end.

"From what has been observed in the last section, it appears, if the whole of what is said relating to this affair be duly weighed, and one part compared with another, we shall have reason to think that the design of the Spirit of God is not to represent God's ultimate end as manifold but as ONE... For it appears, that all that is ever spoken of in the Scripture as an ultimate end of God's works, is included in that one phrase, the glory of God; which is the name by which the ultimate end of God's words is most commonly called in Scripture; and seems most aptly to signify the thing."

May this be an encouragement to read Theology. Not to read to get a book under your belt, but to read to learn, to answer questions, to grow. To take notes over a treaties and see your heart swell and be moved to new different heights. Leaving the vacuous behind so as to be matured in life and faith. To see God for who he is as revealed in Scripture and see yourself for who you are in comparison. To refund the glory which is emanated from God which indeed is the end for which he created the world.