So goes the song by the english rock band “The Rolling Stones”. It is the ballad that speaks to the heart of of all of humanity. It is the driving force behind the human race, who lost communion with the One, in whom all blessings flow. While there are certain views that would label the desire for satisfaction a selfish endeavor in a quick response to hedonistic materialism (yes, even professing Christians). This response doesn’t speak to the heart of the matter. It doesn’t leave room for God’s revelation about who man is, or the purpose he has upon the earth. The Westminster Catechism opens up with a biblical question that presupposes that man has been created with a longing for satisfaction in his heart:
Q. 1. What is the chief and highest end of man?
A. Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.
The answer to question number #1 of the catechism ties the satisfaction of man to God’s glory. How can it be that the Creator God has created us in such a way that our satisfaction can only be met in His glory? The answer stems from the fact that we’ve been created in His image and in a covenantal context. From here we can begin to see how God’s Word ties theology and the doctrine of man with apologetics, and how this has implications for counseling.
For now, I leave the readers to think about some of these implications.
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