Why?

In the 5th chapter of Paul's epistle to the Romans he says,

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. (Rom 5:1-2)

Now that's interesting, isn't it? We get the "justified by faith." We get the "peace with God." We get the "exult in hope." But did we miss the point of the hope? Paul here says that the hope in which we exult is the hope of the glory of God.

Step back a moment to a prior passage. You remember that all have sinned, but do you remember the "and"? "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Rom 3:23) The problem, you see, isn't merely sin. Oh, that's big enough, but the real problem is that sin falls short of the glory of God. The problem, then, is that God's glory is diminished. That's why sin is such a big problem. Sin isn't just "bad things"; it's an assault on the glory of the Most High. It's the same problem we see at the outset of the epistle.

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Rom 1:21)

I would suggest that this is the main theme, the primary heartbeat of the problem of sin. It started in the Garden when Satan asked, "Did God really say ...?" It continues every time we opt to do things our own way without regard for God's glory.

It's hard, too. It is easily possible to do "good things". Your typical atheist will do "good things". We know what constitutes good things. Be nice. Help people out. Don't lie, cheat, or steal. Lots of those things. But the Bible says that among Natural Man "there is none who does good; no, not one." (Rom 3:12) How is that? Because the only good that can be done that is really good is that which is done by God for His glory. Christians are commanded to let their good works shine in such a way that the Father is glorified (Matt 5:16). Good works done for any other reason are not good works.

I'm convinced that we get lost and confused many times because we're not thinking of why we are doing what we do. We don't understand the purpose. Since all things are to be done to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31), the correct "why" is actually quite easy -- that God may be glorified. Good works, compassion, how we run our worship service, what job you choose, what spouse you choose, how you raise your kids, and on and on ... the "why" of all that we do must be that God be glorified. Anything else, no matter how good it seems, is sin.