There are many verses in the Bible that tell us what God requires of us, or expects from us. I will touch on a few that are known to many believers; but other believers seldom, if ever, read their Bibles so this article is also for them - as well as for unbelievers.
First of all, we need to believe with all of our heart that Jesus is the Savior, and to put all of our hope and faith in Him in order to be saved.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Faith and belief in Jesus is all that is required to be saved and to gain eternal life. However, God also expects us to obey Him and to live godly lives and to bear much fruit. (John 15:8).
All true believers are already fully aware of all the information that I wrote above. Let us consider Micah 6:8 which follows:
"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
To "do justly" is to be righteous; to act or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good. To "love mercy" .... a high obligation. Mercy is a beautiful quality. The spirit of mercy and forgiveness proceeds from the Father and the Son. We should do likewise with forbearance and gentleness.
The Lord also requires man to "walk humbly with Him." We can be humble when we contemplate how God took us out of the pits of darkness and brought us into His life-saving light; how we did not deserve His love and mercy, and that we should humbly acknowledge that we can do nothing without Him (John 15:5). Focus on the Lord and consider His powerful works and His majesty; live in awe and reverential fear of His power and realize that He is the Sovereign of the universe and we are but "specks of dust". If we have a strong, intimate, and personal love relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we will be humble.
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." - Ecclesiastes 12:13
The root of religion is fear of God reigning in the heart. You will also have a reverence of His majesty, and submit to His authority. And because you love Him, you will dread to grieve Him by sinful thoughts and actions. You will have a respect for all of His commandments and you will take care to keep them. This also applies to Jesus, of course. Love for Christ will compel you to live your life in a Christ-like manner. Follow closely in His footsteps.
Another requirement of the Lord is found at Mark 12:30-31 which follows:
(30) And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (31) And the second is like, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."
To love God with all your heart is to love Him with all of your powers, and with perfect sincerity.
The soul contains the affections, passions, and desires of the man under the rule of the will and conscience. To love God with all thy soul is to love Him with the utmost fervor.
To love God with all your mind, is to first of all fill your mind with the Word of God and dwell on things above (Colossians 3:1-2). That way you will have an enlightened mind in which to better exercise true love of God.
To love God with all of your strength is to love Him with all the energy of your being. That covers the first commandment.
Now concerning the second commandment, to love your neighbor as yourself..... The Jews regarded only fellow Jews and full proselytes as their neighbors, but Jesus taught that a neighbor is anyone with whom we have any dealings whatsoever. "Neighbor" in Greek literally means "one nearby." If we are filled with the Holy Spirit and have the love of God within us, we will naturally want to help our neighbor and will love him and treat him kindly.
Don't forget the Great Commission ! After His resurrection, Jesus commanded His disciples (which includes you and me) the following:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." - Matthew 28:19-20
Love of God and love of neighbor - and wanting to obey the Lord - will fill us with the desire to share the Gospel with everyone we possibly can. We are on this earth to love and serve God, and to love and serve our neighbor.
Love of God and love of neighbor - and wanting to obey the Lord - will fill us with the desire to share the Gospel with everyone we possibly can. We are on this earth to love and serve God, and to love and serve our neighbor.
These requirements of the good Lord are all familiar to true believers, but it is good to be reminded of things from time to time.
For unbelievers, you need to get right with the Lord and surrender your life to Him. Time is short ! We all need to be ready for the return of Christ at the soon to occur Rapture of the Church.
Don't be left behind !
Pray for forgiveness and believe with all of your being that Jesus Christ is the Savior, and that His blood shed at Calvary can wash your sins away if you but have faith in Him, and believe in His resurrection.
It is a simple faith that can save you. You must repent of your sins and renounce them and never go back to a life of sin. God will help you because once you are truly saved you will be sealed with the Holy Spirit Who will help you resist temptations and will help you to live a godly life. (Ephesians 1:13).
Choose life everlasting in heaven !
Choose Jesus !
Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." - John 3:36
As we enjoy this beautiful weekend, let us examine ourselves - our hearts - to see if we meet the good Lord's requirements. Let us put Him first in our lives.
Have a Christ centered weekend...... and life!
Have a Christ centered weekend...... and life!
