Expectations

God's Three Expectations

Revelation 14:7

"Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."

Any Christian who truly wants to please God would want to know what God expects from them. Knowing His expectations would help any Christian to live a better life. I often tell people that God always gives the answer to everything in life. God has not placed you on Earth without giving you the expectations for how you should live. The verse above shows us three expectations that God has for every Christian. Each of these expectations will help you in becoming a better Christian.

First, God expects you to fear Him. One of the most misunderstood subjects in the Scriptures is the fear of God. Many believe that fearing God is having an attitude of fear toward Him. God would never want anyone to be afraid of Him. You are afraid of someone because of what they might do to you. The fear of God is simply having a respect of His power.

Years ago my wife and I used to travel with a fifth-wheel trailer. Many of the churches we held meetings in had no electrical connections for a fifth-wheel trailer. I learned how to hook up my trailer straight into the electrical panel. Preachers would often ask me if I wanted them to shut the whole panel off. I always responded that the only thing I wanted was for them to stay away so that I could work without any interference. I knew inside of that panel was the power to give us electricity to power our fifth-wheel trailer. Yet, I also knew that the same power that could benefit us to live comfortably could hurt me if I didn't respect or fear it.

That is exactly what the fear of God is. Fearing God is realizing that His power can help you to do the works that He commands you to do; however, that same power can hurt you if you don't live according to His Word. God expects you to fear Him, not so that He can hurt you, but so that you can use that power to serve Him.

Second, God expects you to give Him glory. With everything you do in life you should strive to give God the glory. Too many Christians want to take credit when they should be giving credit to God. Christian, God deserves the credit for your successes because He is the One Who gives you the wherewithal to do those things. Don't become so self-centered that you try to take the credit that belongs to God. If you will lift God up by giving Him credit, in return He will lift you up in the eyes of man.

Finally, God expects you to worship Him. Worshipping God is not going to church, but worshipping God is living a life that is pleasing to Him. Psalm 29:2 says, "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." Notice, holiness is what God calls worship. In other words, every time you do right you are worshipping God. If you want to fulfill God's expectation of worshipping Him, then be sure to live a life that would please Him.

God's expectations are not unreal. You will find that if you will obey one of these expectations, then you will obey them all. All three expectations are interwoven with each other. I challenge you to start everyday reminding yourself of what God expects from you. If you will live according to God's expectations for you, then you will most certainly please Him with your life.