Listen To Audio Download Audio

Abstract

I’m sometimes asked by unbelievers, “Why did God need to create people?” The question is unanswerable, since it presumes that God needed something . . . anything. God created us for His glory, but He didn’t need to do so. The doctrine of aseity says that “God is self-existent, not dependent on anything else for his existence.” Our existence does not change God.

Having said that, it is true that our existence reflects God. And our obedience isn’t the only thing that positively reflects God’s character. In an ironic twist, both our sin and our holiness are used by God to display His glory. Our sin demonstrates God’s holiness; our unfaithfulness demonstrates God’s faithfulness; our injustice demonstrates God’s justice; our unworthiness demonstrates God’s worthiness; our unrighteousness demonstrates God’s righteousness.

For next week, read Romans 3:9-20.

PP. 535-536 in the Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary (or equivalent in the newly released volume entitled The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Abridged Edition, New Testament)

PP. 106-111 in the New American Commentary.