Yes, what does God really want? Many people often say that they do not know if He exists let alone know what He wants. If one reads the Old Testament it will seem like He is one demanding entity, almost a killjoy! All those “You shall”s and “You shall not”s.
Who can even meet half of the requirement of His Law? Very good question.
No one.
That’s exactly why God sent Jesus to Earth and ultimately to die.
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandments were He responded without any equivocation:
29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:29-31
God wants us to love Him ONLY. You know that void in our hearts that nothing can fill? He alone can fill it the more we love Him and stay close to Him. No amount of drugs, sex, alcohol, money, security or pleasure can fill that void. Loved ones will pass through our lives or ours through theirs for appointed times but God is our only constancy. He is from eternity even unto eternity!
Despite all our stumbles and failures God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. The death of Jesus remains the greatest act of love. Therefore when we love our neighbour we express that same love and our faith in Jesus.
“Love does no harm to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilment of the law” – Romans 13:10
Practically, to love God requires us to read our Bibles more and more frequently and to spend time in His presence. Fellowshipping with other believers in church is a good start but we can always take it up several notches by spending time in personal prayer, reflection and worship.
Loving God also means doing His will. Rescuing the perishing, caring for the dying, employing all our talents for His glory are all ways we do His will.
Loving our neighbour as ourselves really doesn’t require much elucidation. Simply put, if you don’t want to be treated poorly don’t treat others poorly. Helping to meet the needs of our neighbour s when it is required. However, before we can actually love our neighbours it is vital we love ourselves in the way that God desires. God loves US! Fact! We have to deal with it. Once we have dealt with that immutable truth then it is our duty to “spread the love” by telling others about God’s redeeming love through Christ Jesus.
Is it all? Yes. That’s all God wants. For us to love Him with all our hearts, minds, bodies and souls and to love our neighbours as ourselves. Come to think about it, won’t the world be an entirely peaceful place if we all obeyed?
If you haven’t as yet accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour and will like to do so then pray this short prayer wherever you are.
Dear Heavenly Father
I confess I do not know you and because I cannot see you, or touch you, it is difficult for me to believe you are there.
Yet I am willing to trust you.
I confess I am a sinner and have done many things I know are wrong.
But I am asking you today to forgive me of all those sins and make me a new person.
Create within me a clean heart and fill me with your love.
I cast all my cares and burdens onto you and I chose to live for you.
I thank you for hearing my prayer and coming into my life.
I thank you for restoring me and making me whole again.
I thank you for the new life you have given me through Jesus Christ your only begotten Son and now my Lord and Saviour.Amen
If you have any questions or want to know more on how you can live this life full of love and freedom then send us an email.
If you already have a personal relationship with Jesus, then help a friend in need of salvation by sharing this message.
God bless you
Socrates
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