The Shorter Westminster Catechism famously begins: “What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy him forever.”

God’s glory is both mankind’s purpose and mankind’s hope. It’s what we were designed for and destined for. As creatures made in God’s image, our humanity finds its most authentic expression when our lives reflect his character and will.

However, the distorting effect that sin’s corruption wreaks on our souls frustrates God’s good purposes for us. It also prevents us from satisfying (and being satisfied by) his desires for us as his image-bearers. We need reforming. As jars of clay, we need remoulding and reshaping. We need rescuing.

Thank God that in Christ, all of this comes together. As the word who became flesh, Jesus manifested God’s glory in the world. As the image of the invisible God, he made God known to us. By trusting in him, we are delivered from sin, forgiven, and made one with him. By obeying him, we are made like him, transformed into his image.

This is the rescue all people need. And in an age where “being the best version of yourself” is so desirable, the gospel of salvation provides the most fulfilling solution. For in our salvation, God is glorified. In our restoration, his powerful love is revealed. His rescue redeems us. In Christ, we find the best expression of our humanity because there we are restored to the image of our creator. We should rejoice in our salvation, not simply because of what we receive, but because it brings fame and honour to our heavenly Father and his glorious Son.