What Does God Want From Us?

4 things He expects.

I was excited when Amazon delivered my new dresser.

“Assembly required” was stamped on the box.

I stared blankly at a floor covered in fake wood panels and what seemed like a hundred miscellaneous parts as I held the 20-page instruction manual.

I was overwhelmed and could not see how I could possibly be able to complete it. I tend to have trouble putting together anything more than 2-3 parts.

Reading through the instruction manual, I studied the process.

By taking one step at a time, it wasn’t as difficult as I thought. I eventually finished it, and with no leftover pieces, I might add.

Similarly, we can make the Christian life way more complicated than it is.

Moses gave instructions to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 10:12-13.
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?”

I believe the same fundamental principles are taught throughout the Bible:

Fear God

Understanding His holiness and sovereignty gives us a healthy reverence for the Lord. Knowing His ability to judge our motives and actions incentivizes us to follow His commands. Fearing God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

Obey God

If we love God, we will want to obey Him. Fulfilling His commands is not a burden (1 John 5:3). It keeps us from many mistakes and their consequences.

Love God

According to Matthew, the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our hearts (Matthew 22:36-37).

Love comes easily when we understand

• He gave His only Son to die in our place (John 3:16).

• He created us (Psalm 139:13).

• He is preparing a place in heaven for us (John 14:3).

Serve God

We are to serve God with everything we have, not out of obligation, but love (1 Samuel 12:24).

We don’t need to overthink the Christian life. We just need to study the instruction manual and follow it one day at a time.