The question, “What does God want from me?” is a big one. Asking it means you’re looking for something deeper, a connection to something bigger than yourself. It means you want to live a life that matters.
This article dives into practical ways to figure out and then live out God’s will in your everyday life. We’re talking about faith in action, building a real relationship with the divine.
We’ll touch on some essential themes to consider when trying to answer the question, “What do God want from me?”. We’ll explore what it means to live in God’s Kingdom, the importance of repentance, the gift of grace, and how to understand God’s expectations alongside his unconditional love. Consider this a guide to understanding the bigger picture and actionable steps you can take on your spiritual journey.
Living in God’s Kingdom: A Lifestyle of Love and Action
It can be helpful to think of God’s kingdom not as a physical place, but as a way of living. It’s about taking God’s values and weaving them into the fabric of your day-to-day life.
When you show the love, kindness, forgiveness, and humility that Jesus modeled, you’re expanding God’s kingdom.
Here are a few practical steps to help you live in God’s kingdom:
- Emulate Jesus. Try to reflect His character in your interactions and in the choices you make.
- Prioritize service. Selfless service and a focus on meeting the needs of others are characteristics of kingdom living.
- Seek justice. Advocate for fairness and integrity in everything you do.
By living out these principles, you’re not only fulfilling what God wants from you, but you’re also contributing to a more loving and just world.
Turn Back to God
If you’re wondering, “What does God want from me?” the answer always includes repentance. Repentance means recognizing the ways you’ve fallen short of God’s standards and choosing to turn back toward Him.
It’s about acknowledging your sins and making a conscious decision to move away from them. This doesn’t mean you have to be perfect, but it does mean you should genuinely want to change.
Confess your sins, believing that God will forgive you. As 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Then, take real steps to change your behavior. Ask yourself where you need to improve and get support from friends and mentors who can hold you accountable.
Accepting and Sharing the Gospel
The Gospel is all about the good news that Jesus Christ died and then rose again. It’s the core of Christian belief, and it’s where Christians find their hope.
When you accept the Gospel, you believe in Jesus. You accept that He can forgive you. This brings about real change in your life. You gain a new connection with God.
Christians believe that God wants them to share this good news about Jesus with other people. This doesn’t always mean standing on a street corner and preaching. You can share the Gospel through your words, but also through your actions and how you serve others.
Ultimately, God wants you to live in a way that shows His goodness and love. You are meant to be a living example of how the Gospel can change someone’s life.
Relying on God’s Grace and Strength: Dependence, Not Performance
One of the most important things to understand about what God wants from you is that you can’t do it on your own. Living a Christian life requires God’s grace and strength, which are freely offered to those who seek them.
The Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).
God doesn’t expect you to be perfect. Instead, focus on responding to God with faith, rather than trying to earn His favor through your actions.
Cultivating Dependence on God
It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you need to perform for God, but the truth is that the responsibility for your salvation and spiritual growth rests with Him, not you.
Jesus said, “Remain (or abide) in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine” (John 15:4).
Instead of relying on your own strength, rely on God’s grace. Spend time in scripture, prayer, and worship, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform you from the inside out. God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), so embrace your dependence on Him and trust that He will equip you for every good work.
What does God want from me? Faith, obedience, and love
Many people wonder about God’s expectations for them. What does He want? What does He expect? How can you live a life that pleases Him?
Theologians often say that God’s expectations are rooted in His great, unconditional love for each of us. He wants a relationship with us, not a list of rules we must follow to earn His affection.
But what does that relationship look like in practice?
Responding in faith and obedience
Christians believe that people are forgiven and declared righteous through faith in Jesus Christ. As Romans 5:1-2 explains, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”
Responding to God’s commands means trusting Him and depending on Him. It’s not about blindly obeying but about trusting God’s wisdom and guidance.
Jesus Himself said, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:10-11). In other words, obedience is a response to love, not a way to earn it.
Living a life of love
Following Jesus means living a life characterized by love, kindness, forgiveness, and humility. These qualities reflect God’s character and demonstrate our love for Him and for others.
The best way to live a life that’s pleasing to God is to focus on building a close relationship with Him through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other Christians. Spend time getting to know Him, and as you learn more about His character, you’ll naturally want to live in a way that honors Him.
Summary
Trying to understand what God wants from us is a lifelong journey that involves faith, transformation, and a willingness to listen. It means embracing God’s Kingdom, turning away from our sins, accepting His grace, and striving to live a life of love and obedience.
The most important thing is to cultivate a personal relationship with God through prayer, reading scripture, and connecting with other believers. Through these practices, we can learn to discern His will and live in a way that pleases Him.
It’s also important to remember that God’s love is unconditional, and His grace is always available to us. We should focus on relying on God’s strength, rather than trying to perform perfectly on our own.
By seeking God’s will with an open heart and a humble spirit, we can discover the joy and fulfillment that comes from living a life that is pleasing to Him.