What Does God Expect From Me?

You might be troubled today, wondering, "What does God expect from me?"  Most people turn to someone considered to be religious, in seeking an answer for this question.  They might ask a local preacher or attend a neighborhood church, where they seek an answer.  I believe there are honest people seeking a truthful, dependable answer to this question.  

It is unfortunate that the honest seeker will often become confused and discouraged because of the answers he receives.  As he asks his question to more and more people, he receives a multitude of conflicting answers.  I believe that many who have experienced this confusion have decided to simply give up on religion.  How sad!  II Peter 3: 9 states, The Lord is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Shouldn't those who follow Christ be able to give a unified answer to the question, "What does God expect from me?"  Obviously Christ wanted unity among His people and prayed for it.  In John 17:21-23, we read Jesus' prayer, "That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which Thou gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one:  I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me."  Jesus earnestly prayed for this oneness so that the honest seeker would not be discouraged.  Notice from John 17 that this oneness sends a message to the world, that they may believe and know. 

Today, the honest seeker might ask, "What does God expect from me in order that I might be saved?"  Would one unified answer come from the religious community? I pray that honest seekers will turn to their New Testaments for the answer.  There in the book of Acts is the record of many conversions.  Let's do what they did to become a Christian.

Today, the honest seeker might ask, "What does God expect from me in worship?"  Would one unified answer come from the religious community? I pray that honest seekers will turn to their New Testaments and read how the first Christians worshipped.  Leaving the doctrines of men, let us go back to the inspired scriptures to find what God expects from us.  Be an honest seeker.

I gladly welcome your comments or questions and offer you my assistance in your own personal study of God's Holy Word. 

Shane Hoover, Minister

Greeneville Church of Christ