In the Westminister Shorter Catechism,

asks the question “What is the chief end of man?”  The catechism answers its own question with, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.” This answer infers that the Way to glorify God is to be in an intimate relationship with Him eternally. Out of this relationship, we will do ‘good works’ prepared beforehand for us to walk in. Not only are ‘good works’ prepared beforehand, but so are we through our relationship with Christ. Many Christians have replaced this chief end of an eternal relationship, and substituted evangelism.

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:19 (NIV2011)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Evangelism is definitely a command and an important part of our Christian life, but is not the chief end of man. To focus on this one command, can and has negated the subsequent command.

Matthew 28:20 (NIV2011)
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The Great Commission includes two commandments, (evangelism and teaching), which focus on the one chief end of man – to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.

Eternal Life

We glorify God by enjoying Him eternally. So what is eternal life?

John 17:3 (NIV2011)
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

Your life in Christ is what glorifies God! You can not replace this chief end with a work.

Galatians 2:20 (NIV2011)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

What Paul is describing is the relationship by which all ‘works’ he does are manifested. Not by his own desires, for they have been crucified, but by the guiding of the Spirit of Christ that lives in Him.

Evangelism

is a great gift of the Spirit, and the Word tells us all to be prepared, in season and out.

2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV2011)
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Sanctification

Why do countries have militaries? Quite often it is two-fold. One is to protect their countries borders and their way of living. Somtimes the military is used to expand that way of living beyond their borders. I see the function of an evangelist as expanding this Way of living of the Christian life. And like the military, it is the commander and chief that chooses the time and location of these encounters. And before they are sent, there is intense training. Training for a Christian is sanctification.

Romans 12:2 (NIV2011)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

To be transformed, you not only have to spend time with the Word, but with the Holy Spirit as well (prayer). The relationship that comes out of this process of sanctification is the chief end of man. There will be a day when evangelism will no longer be necessary, but there will never be a day where we will not glorify God by enjoying Him forever.