WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE OF YOU - PART 2
INTRODUCTION:
We have defined a requirement to be something that is indispensable and obligatory for the accomplishment of a task.
God's foremost demand of us, as seen was "To Fear the Lord your God" this we have looked at in the first part of this series. What Does God Require of You - part 1
Here , in this second part, we shall be focusing on the Next Two Requirements, which are to "walk in all the ways of God and to Love the Lord God" Deut.10:12-13
To begin with, what are the ways of God, what exactly does walking in the way of God entail?
THE WAYS OF GOD
The ways of God are " God's principles on which His actions and judgements are based". These are God's standards.
God simply said to Moses,
"Set my principles in order for them (Israel) as they enter the land of promise, so they can be made ready to receive the blessings I've prepared for them"
Deuteronomy 10:17
"For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward"
Their Failure to meet God's requirements led to His rebuking Israel for demanding justice, through their sacrificial offerings and fastings, saying,
"Cry aloud, spare not, show my people their transgressions; you fast and seek ordinances of peace from me, as if you are a Nation which fears God" but such will never make your voices to be heard on high (such will ne get you anywhere with me" (paraphrased). Isaiah 58:1-4
Three entities determines what a man does in life:
1. Self: This is often called Self-will. It's Decision to do what you want. Thereby rejecting any other counsel and damning the consequences. E.g. Samson insisted on getting what he wants by exercising his privilege and God-given power of choice irrespective of what anyone says or thinks-Judges.14:2-3,
2. Satan: Satan was behind David's prompting and final decision to number Israel to his hurt. Since he couldn't resist him, he fell for it. Beware of certain enticements that is contrary to laid down principles esp of God. 1Chron.21:1, Rom.7:15-21 and
3. God: This is when the reason behind the path we take is in obedience to the will/word of God, even when we don't know what lies ahead. E g. The motivation behind Nehemiah's choice of behavior was the fear of his God. Neh.5:15, Gen.39:9, Gen.12:1-4
Hence, our actions or words are either a product of self, Satan or God's ways. Gen.6:11-12, 2Chron.6:30-31, Eph.4:20-21.
Therefore, Man's reward in life is a function of the way he walks; your harvest is a function of your choices. Hos.12:1-2, Gal.6:7-8.
Scriptural Examples of the ways of God: Matt.5:1-10
God's commandments are laws to be kept as a seal of the covenant relationship between God and His people. But,The ways of God are the accepted ways of handling, acting and reacting to situations before God and in His kingdom. They're are God -taught ways or norms of life that constitute righteousness in the sight of God. 1Sam.8:3-7, Deut.6:25.
"My ways are not your ways, says the lord", Isa.55:8.
Hence to please God, we must know and walk in His ways.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is filled with Parables that clearly demonstrate the Ways of God.
These heavenly Truths are usually preceded by, The Kingdom of God is.... See: Matt.5:2-10
It is clear from the Bible that the ways of God are clearly opposed to that of man. Some of the principles and mindset with which God requires of us to practice as His privileged people includes, knowing and living that:
• Obedience to God is better than sacrifice - 1Sam.15:22
• There's only one God and none besides Him. Mark 12:28-29
• Loving the Lord above all; and our neighbor as ourself is the greatest and most acceptable type of offering to God- Mark 12:33-34
• All unrighteousness is sin; The soul that Sin shall die- 1John 5:17, Ezek.18:20-24
• The way to the heavenly kingdom is the ways of God - Matt.6:33, Mark.1:15
• He who humbles himself will be exalted; the way up is down - Matthew 23:12, Luke 18:14
• You are a liar, if you say you love God and hates your brother- 1John 4:20
•Serving God is the key to being serviced by God - Exodus 23:25
•Draw near to God and He will draw near to you - God is as close to you, as you are to Him. Don't be deceived! -James 4:8, 2Chronicles 16:8-9
• He that doeth righteousness is righteous, 1John 3:7, 1John 2:29
• Forgive from the heart to be forgiven by God- Matthew 18:35 etc
BENEFITS: Heb.6:18-19
Walking in the ways of God is the passport to our Righteousness in our walk with God and access to the hid treasures of God. The reward for doing this includes:
1. Gives you Strong consolation
2. Assurance of fulfillment of promises- 1John 3:19-22
3. Right to access God's blessing -Psalm 50:16
4. Accounted to you for Righteousness- Deuteronomy 6:25
5. Keeps you away from trouble and snares of life-Psalm 119:9-11, Proverb 13:14
#3: LOVE THE LORD GOD
This is God's third requirement of us.
God Himself is the definition of love. Love, is a strong positive emotion towards someone/thing. Agape, which is the purest kind of love is the very nature of God! No wonder He desires love from us towards Him. 1John 4:7-8; 11-12, 16.
DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PROBLEMS
WHAT LOVING GOD ENTAILS
Jesus made it clear, that the measure and greatest expression of love is to lay down ones life for a friend. John 15:12-13, Rom.5:7-8.
To love God truly involves having a deep affection, devotion and respect for "His person, His name, His Words, His things and His ways" in both conscious and subconscious being.
It is simply loving what He loves and hating what He hates, as has been revealed through the gospel.
Loving God therefore can be said to imply or involve among others the following:
1. Keeping His commandments -1John 5:2-3, John 14:15
2. Not loving the world or it's things- 1John 2:15, Tit.2:11-12
3. Loving your neighbor - 1John 4:20-21, 1John 3:17, John 15:12-13
4. Pleasing God always- Isa.58:13, John 8:28-29
5. Not seeking the honor of man- John 5:41-44
6. Looking well to and Tending to the work of the Lord - John 21:15-17
You can not be said to love God with all your heart, mind and soul without these fruits showing forth.
However, as selfish beings, it's not possible to love God truly without the help of the Holy Spirit - Rom.5:5,
MARRIAGE, HOW TO FIND GOD'S WILL
BENEFIT OF LOVING GOD
1. Divine Preservation- Ps.145:20
2. Enlargement and blessing- Deut.30:16, Prov.8:21
3. God's manifest Presence - Jn.14:21-23
4. Being specially loved by the Father- Prov.8:17, Jn.14:21-23
LETS PRAY 🙏
1. Father, reveal your love through me
2. Father, empower me to love you truly
3. Father, let my life experience your love in a new way his heart, evermore
CONCLUSION:
God's final requirements, according to Deuteronomy 10:12-13 is to "Keep God's Commandments and His Statutes"This Encounter begins with a Conscious Decision to Surrender our life to Jesus and Accepting Him into our heart as our Lord and personal Savior. Or
(If you want to Rededicate your life to the Lord), Consciously Repeat this Prayer :
"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the son of God, come in the flesh, who died, rose on the third day and ascended to heaven. Have mercy on me, I invite you Now, come into my life, save me and be forever my Lord and personal saviour. Thank you for saving me. I declare, I am Born again. Rom.10:9-10."
CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME TO THE ETERNAL FAMILY OF GOD.
This way, we can have God's assurance, that: "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear" Isaiah 65:24
Amen 🙏
We'll love to hear your Comments or share your , Testimonies and Pray with you through our E-mail/Whatsapp/Telegram contacts:+2348023954555.
God bless you
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