What Does God Expect of You?

If you're like me, you have a lot of people in your life who expect a lot of things from you. My family expects me to care for them. My pastor/boss and my church expect me to do my job and fulfill my calling. My bank expects me to pay my loans. My dog expects me to walk him and feed him. My friends expect me to lend a hand and a listening ear. My blog readers expect me to blog. Well, maybe...

Above all, though, we should ask, "What does God expect of me?"

At the risk of trying to summarize the Christian life in a brief, even cheesy, outline, I want to give you a brief, cheesy outline that I discovered years ago. I thought it was worth posting. I don't think this is original with me. I can't remember where it came from.

1. God expects you to GROW.

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. (2 Thessalonians 1:3)

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! (2 Peter 3:18)

2. God expects you to GO.

Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. (Mark 5:19)

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

3. God expects you to GLOW.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. (Matthew 5:14-15)

4. God expects you to SOW.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8)

5. God expects you to SHOW.

I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself. (Psalm 89:1-2)

6. God expects you to KNOW.

Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)