People think that the salvation of mankind is the only thing that God has had on His mind for eternity past. It’s definitely ONE of the things He has had on His mind, and it most certainly is very important to us humans, but God doesn’t eat, sleep and breathe our salvation story as if His life depended on it.
He foreknew us. Many Scriptures assert this fact (Rom 8:29, Rom 11:2, 1 Peter 1:2, etc). That means He knew, beforehand, who would put their faith in Him and who wouldn’t. At that point, some people would ask, “Why then did God make all the people who wouldn’t put their faith in Him?” Again, God’s purpose in life is not “salvation of mankind”--mankind didn’t even exist until 6,000 years ago (nor did the concept of sin and henceforth the need for salvation before the angelic rebellion). The people who ask this question find it incredulous that God would do something that doesn’t lead to the goal of “salvation of mankind”. God’s purpose in life is the love and glorification of Himself. The creation of men and women who don’t turn to Him for salvation--guess what--they still glorify God, even in their rebellion! It’s the same with the angels: the rebellious angels still glorify God even in their rebellion against God!
In fact, Philippians 2:10-11 says, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
He WILL be glorified, but He also is being glorified now. Consider this: the human body can do things that no other creature can do--that fact glorifies God. Or, the human mind can think thoughts (and execute them) that no other creature can do--that fact glorifies God. Whether a human is using his God-given body or brain for good or evil is inconsequential; he is still glorifying God in it. (True, that everyone will have to answer for their evil at the end of time, but God doesn’t stop being glorified now in the present.) Man is made in God’s image, but it’s a skewed image. Francis Schaeffer described mankind as a “tragic irony”.
So, as one can see, our limited perspective of “Why God created people who don’t want anything to do with Him” totally misses the point that God doesn’t need anyone or anything! He is absolutely content in who He is; He loves Himself perfectly and wholly.
That fact does not take away the beauty of our salvation, however. My salvation in Christ is VERY important to me! It’s what changed my life! Now, I am on board to glorify God, too, in my actions, just like God, Himself. See, God didn’t have to create me, or, later save me. That’s what makes it all the more glorious. He didn’t need me; He wanted me. And He was willing to give me a shot at free will and let His own love draw me to Him. Salvation is a beautiful thing, but let us not confuse our salvation with God’s purpose or why He does certain things. Salvation definitely is on God’s mind, but it’s the glorification of Himself that propels Him to want to save us.
