What God Wants
The worship of God is slowly becoming more centered on “Self” than on God, especially by Christians in the world today. Praise, Worship and Prayer have become what some believers offer to God in exchange of endless lists of both present and future demands without much consideration for the possible desires of The God they claim to serve.
Although Romans 8:16 confirms the fact that they are God’s heirs, thus beneficiaries of all He has, day after day, week after week, month after month, throughout the year, these believers outline their requests without asking for once, what God would have them do.
While not still inquiring, some convince themselves that all HE needs, is good behaviour, setting good examples, attending church services, engaging in religious activities, studying the bible, praying constantly, evangelism and so on.
A number of them expect these works of righteousness to provide them the heavenly reward of Rapture and the earthly reward of good success.
Ultimately, the focus is no longer on pleasing God by doing what He wants but on securing enough good works, worthy of guaranteeing a good life on earth and a home in Heaven. This leads us to the crucial question, we must all ask ourselves.
What Exactly Does God Really Want?
Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is; ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 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.’ (NKJV; Mark 12:29-30)
When Jesus called this command the first of all commands (Other versions say most important), He was explaining that in degree or value, this instruction was the greatest, one that was very dear to God’s heart.
For example: When a person gets married to an individual he or she does not truly love except for much desire for the money, power, prestige or fame the other person has, the little affection existing within that marriage, usually is incapable of standing the test of time. If the driving force (or the real reason of the marriage) is removed or things turn out differently than they seemed, the marriage might come to an end.
Many believers are like this! They are married to God but on their part, true love is lacking.
Their love for God is conditional. It is love that can only be seen in their strength and mind. They attend all services, go for every outreach, give to the orphanage, give 30% when paying tithes and involve themselves in works of righteousness because they are sure of having in all sufficiency (2 Corinthians 9:8) but when things go bad, or challenges become incessant; their love diminishes until it fades except the situation changes for the better.
True love is like a fragrance emanates from the heart and within our spirit. Not all Christians will joyfully pay tithes from the last salaries after being sacked from work and only a few will continue as missionaries after losing loved ones in the line of duty to persecutions of faith in Christ. This takes great faith and a demonstration of undiluted love.
THIS IS WHAT GOD DESIRES FROM US! YES, A PURE , UNADULTERATED, GENUINE LOVE!! Just like His Unfeigned, Unconditional love for us. If our love only begins in our body or soul (strength/mind) without being rooted in our spirit, we cannot have a true relationship with Him.
1 John 4:17 even explains that love has been perfected in us, so that we may stand boldly on the day of judgement with our evidence of love for Him as our “ticket” into Heaven.
Anyone who truly loves God, knows God, understands what He wants (1John 4:7&8) and will serve God, making sacrifices where or when necessary, amidst challenges.
If we only switch on the love button when life is smooth and switch it off in the time of adversity, our love for God is not perfected in us.
Therefore, since we have a Father who cannot stop loving us (Romans 8:35-39), let us repent of self-centeredness and give God what He really wants from now on, “GENUINE LOVE WHICH LEADS TO WHOLESOME WORSHIP!!!”
Oluwaseun
For: HOTF
