Whether you’re a seasoned saint, a freshly swaddled child of God, or somewhere in between, we all ask the same burning question: “what does God expect from us, anyway?”
Unless this is your very first internet search, you know answers abound. From long-winded theological discussions to anecdotal summaries, no matter where you look, everyone’s got an opinion on the topic. But, in simple terms that don’t require a seminary degree to understand, what does God say about the subject?
Believe it or not, the answer is incredibly simple. Many of us just tend to need more clarity.
So, what does the Bible say about God’s expectations of us?
Simply put? Being good is not enough. God doesn’t operate off a karma system — you can’t scrub away the bad by racking up good deeds. And our sins and transgressions? Those are stubborn stains that won’t come out through our own effort.
If we want to please God, we must keep ourselves unspotted — stain free. The question is, “how?”
Thankfully, that answer also spells out exactly what God expects:
When asked what the greatest commandment was, or what God primarily requires of us, Jesus of Nazareth said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Take a moment and breathe that in.
Love God.
With everything you are.
Nothing held back.
Christ didn’t stop there. He went on to say, “The second greatest commandment is like the first: Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
If we can fulfill these two commandments — these two expectations — we can both please God and fulfill all his will by living a truly Godly Lifestyle.
And the best part? The Word of God is full of how to do just that.
“He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
–Micah 6: 8
What Are 3 Things God Wants Us to Do?
The scriptures are bursting with examples. From Genesis to Revelation, we can learn what and how to please God. It can honestly be a little overwhelming when you’re looking for a simple answer to help get you started on a closer walk with God.
So, instead of an exhaustive list of verses, here are three things God expects from us that mirror the simplicity of Christ’s answer:
1. God Want’s Us to Return to Him
Our sins have separated us from God. Each and every time we lean on our own judgment or seek our will over God’s, we turn our backs to him. We leave him.
How can we love God with all our being if we are not seeking his face, continually? God wants to see a change in lifestyle. He wants us to turn from our ways and have our steps ordered by the Lord — to walk humbly with him.
When we make this u-turn in life, it is commonly known as Repentance.
2. God Wants Us to Forgive Oneanother
This one is a tough one for many people. We’ve all experienced something at the hands of someone else that has left us hurt, broken, or scarred.
And if you’re walking this life carrying a deep wound or tears and silent screams, I pray for grace, comfort, and healing through the Holy Spirit to the Glory of God and your edification.
But, if we are going to love our neighbor as God expects, let it be known that we must forgive others as God has forgiven us. What happens if we don’t forgive? The parable of the unforgiving servant answers that.
3. God Wants Us to Act Now
If there is anything God has a distaste for, it’s a sluggard. Someone slow to act, lazy, or simply prone to procrastination. Just read Proverbs — Solomon stresses how such things lead to a life without God.
But, if we want to please God and walk humbly with him, then we need to keep in mind that he has called us to action.
Even King David, someone who God himself called “a man after my own heart,” said, “I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.” That’s why he ran toward Goliath, he ran to face his trial, to overcome, and to glorify God.
“Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work, no plan, neither knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, where you are soon going.”
–Ecclesiastes 9: 10
So, What Does God Expect From Us?
We can please God. If we turn from our own ways and seek his face — if we love one another and forgive each other — If we hasten ourselves and not delay in acting according to his will.
The Gift of God is his word, and it plainly tells us how we can fulfill all his expectations: Love God with all our being and love our neighbors as ourselves.
Much and more can be said about how, but let me leave you with God’s own words spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“Wash you, make yourselves clean — put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil and learn to do well. Seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, and plead for the widow.
Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow — though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword.
For the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”
–Isaiah 1: 16-20
