What Does GOD Want from Me? - Conclusion

What do we know about GOD?

• GOD is not like you and me. The Bible tells us that GOD is not a human being, and he will not lie. He is not a human, and he does not change his mind. What he says he will do, he does. What he promises, he makes come true. Numbers 23:19; ….everything He does is right. Psalm 33:4

• GOD never changes His mind, never asks anything of you that He has not equipped you for, never judges you unfairly, readily forgives you as often as you need forgiveness, and always keeps His promises.

• GOD is consistent. Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of consistent is: free from variation or contradiction.  

• GOD is incomprehensible and so is his love – we cannot fathom GOD and we cannot fathom His love. It is divine. GOD alone is capable of loving each of us uniquely.

Does this sound like someone who needs a mere mortal to do anything to make His life better, easier, or more fulfilling?

So, why then does GOD give us commands in His WORD?

You’ve heard it said that the Bible is GOD’s love letter to the world – to you and to me. But what does that mean?

The entire Bible is GOD’s story about Himself – His holiness, His goodness, His grace, His mercy. And it is about a plan to redeem lost creation; those whom He created in His own image and likeness. You!

GOD set that plan in motion in Genesis and when the time was right, He came to earth to finish it. He made Himself visible to us in the person of JESUS, the GOD Man. GOD incarnate - “The WORD became a human and lived among us.” John 1:14a

“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

All of GOD’s commands to us are designed to restore to you the same intimacy Adam and Eve enjoyed with Him before the Fall. (Genesis 3:8) To bring you back to Him.

GOD’s commands benefit you, and because He leaves nothing to chance, He tells you exactly which ones would assure your success: 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength…Love your neighbor as you love yourself. There are no commands more important than these. Mark 12:30-31

All that you “do” for GOD must flow from those two commands to love, or it’s nothing but fleshly effort. The heart is not involved. Love is missing.

So, what does GOD want from you?

The Old Testament prophet Micah records a conversation with the Nation of Israel in which they are asking the same question, why isn’t what we’re doing for God enough – what does GOD want from us? The answer GOD gives the prophet for the people is the same as it is in the New Testament command, love me, love other people. (Micah 6:6-8.)

The Pharisees in the New Testament were known for their public displays of works, fasting and prayer – all done to impress others with their holiness. JESUS told them that their efforts were meaningless rituals and neither they nor their followers would get into GOD’s Kingdom unless their hearts were changed. (Matthew 5:20)

JESUS also used the gospel parable of the Prodigal Son to expose the Pharisees’ self-righteousness and spirit of entitlement in the older son’s behavior towards his younger brother. ‘I have served you like a slave for many years and have always obeyed your commands….your other son, who wasted all your money on prostitutes, comes home, and you kill the fat calf for him!’ Luke 15:29-30

Like the Pharisees, the older son thought works would make him more deserving of his father’s love and resources. But his father’s response shows otherwise – ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours….” Luke 15:31

In this parable the father represents our heavenly Father and the sons GOD’s children. The story confirms that a child of GOD is always a child of GOD and all that the Father has belongs to you. You don’t have to prove yourself. The Christian life is not a contest that you’re in to win points and favor with GOD.

What does GOD want from you, then?  The answer is simple.…GOD wants you.

When you give yourself totally to Him, His Holy Spirit empowers you to love GOD fully and serve Him from the right motive.

Unless love for GOD is your motivation, your good works are only a performance that results in pride and legalism – and neither pleases GOD. This type of serving feels like drudgery and isn’t satisfying for you or the served. (1 Corinthians 13:1-2)

You don’t so much do things for someone you love, but because of them.

By His very nature, GOD is easy to love and please – more so than the people in your life.

To know GOD is to love GOD. To love GOD is to obey Him.

Is it possible that your love for GOD has grown cold? You're not the first.

In the Book of Revelation, the risen JESUS is dictating messages to the disciple John for the churches of that time. For the Church in Ephesus, JESUS first recounts all their admirable qualities but then He names their biggest and most grievous flaw – “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.” Revelation 2: 4-5

When loving GOD is priority rather than just serving Him, we end up doing both. If we skip the relationship, our service benefits nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-2

We learn to know and love GOD through His SON, JESUS. John 10:30 John 14:9

In 2 Corinthians 13:5, the apostle Paul asks the Corinthian church to examine themselves to be sure that they are followers of CHRIST JESUS.

If serving GOD with joy has become a struggle for you, it may be time to stop and take inventory. Turn back to JESUS so you can turn back to GOD and do the works you did at first – love GOD and others.

Conclusion:

Don’t become so focused on “doing for GOD” that you neglect what GOD really wants from you.  

GOD wants us to love Him with all our hearts and let our service be from a heartfelt desire to please Him.

The Lord has told you, human, what is good; he has told you what he wants from you: to do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying your God. Micah 6:8

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, thank YOU for always being there for us and showing us truth in YOUR WORD – that we don’t have to perform to gain YOUR approval because all of YOU belongs to us, YOUR children. All for the taking, all at no cost to us, and all because of YOUR enduring love! Forgive us for complicating your simple rule for our lives – love YOU and love others. Thank YOU for JESUS and the Holy Spirit that enable us to do all things according to YOUR will. Remind us that it all works for our good and YOUR glory, for all dominion and power belong to YOU. We pray and ask all things in the Name of JESUS. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

What Does GOD Want from Me?

Am I doing what God expects of me? This is a question that occupies the minds of many Christians and is often expressed.

If you are a believer, you want to please GOD. But are your thoughts too often filled with doubt that GOD is pleased with you?

Christians talk about experiencing emotional, physical and spiritual burn-out trying to live the Christian life well. Some say they feel stressed out to the point of frustration, sometimes even anger and resentment.

If you are in such a place and entertaining similar thoughts, here’s a new thought to consider – you not being happy with you may not translate to GOD not being happy with you.

What’s really causing you to have these doubts, frustrations and feelings of inadequacy?

The problems you are having with your Christian walk may just be one of focus – the “I” factor.

“I” feel like I’m not getting it right/doing enough/ failing/disappointing GOD. Really??

If GOD is unhappy about anything concerning you it’s that you’ve brought unnecessary pain and suffering into your life by taking on a role that’s not yours.

GOD doesn’t need a helper!

“Who has controlled history since the beginning? I, the Lord, am the one. I was here at the beginning, and I will be here when all things are finished.” Isaiah 41.

You’re incapable of “failing GOD” because GOD is complete in Himself and He isn’t going to be any less so because of something you or I have failed to “do for GOD.”.

The God who made the whole world and everything in it is the Lord of the land and the sky. He does not live in temples built by human hands. This God is the One who gives life, breath, and everything else to people. He does not need any help from them; he has everything he needs. Acts 17:24-25

But doesn’t GOD give us commands?

The answer is yes, He does.

GOD does ask that you worship Him, serve others, give to the poor, seek after holiness, among other commands.  But all GOD’s commands are designed to make the lives of His people more fulfilling – they’re for your benefit and joy, as well as for the benefit and joy of the people in your life. None benefits GOD in any way.

The focus of our Christian lifestyle must be about what GOD has done for us, instead of what we can do for GOD.

When we make that switch, we can begin to live the Christian life well; we can serve with joy. Psalm 100:2

GOD does not require you to perform great acts of service for Him but He does expect that your actions are prompted by great love. Love for Him and for the people you encounter daily.

I may give away everything I have, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing if I do not have love. 1 Corinthians 13:3 (New Century Version)

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, you are Creator, Savior, and our Portion. All that we are and need is in YOU. Thank you for exposing the darkness in our hearts that cause us to act like Pharisees and make idols of our works. Forgive us for becoming so engrossed in ourselves that we forget the One WHO made us who we are. We’re children of GOD by YOUR love and YOU alone can give us JOY. Thank YOU for CHRIST JESUS, He is our strength and by Him we can do all things well. All dominion and power belong to YOU for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the JESUS Name. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile