What Does God Want—Part 1

What Does God Want From Us?—Part One

What exactly is it that God wants from us anyway? I think a lot of people wish they were certain they really knew the answer to that question.

Some might point to self-sacrifice; or “suffering for Christ”. While self-sacrifice is laudable and suffering is bound to happen, as a way of trying to please God, this can lead to asceticism, harsh treatment of the body, avoidance of any form of indulgence or pleasure.

Some might feel that true devotion should be demonstrated, through dedication of one’s life to Christian service as a missionary or in some other way. It is as though God were a medieval king who demanded unwavering fealty—sworn and demonstrated—by His subjects. Faithfulness and dedication are certainly positive traits, but as the criteria for a life that pleases God, they lead to an improper view of God as an angry slave driver who’s demands are always for more than is currently being given.

Some seem to think it’s moral purity—come ye out from among “them” and “be ye holy, even as I am Holy, saith the Lord.” Living a moral life is a good idea—sin leads to pain and death—but making one’s personal moral conduct the litmus test for whether or not one pleases God leads to unloving attitudes, judgementalism, and a sense of separation (“us” and “them”) rather than love and unity. It leads to hypocrisy as the moral failures we all have are covered up and hidden from view—sometimes resulting in a very public fall.

Some would say He wants obedience to the Ten Commandments, or maybe even all 613 Mitzvah found in the Old Testament. Oh wait; you mean there are 613!

If that’s not impossible enough, there is always this idea put forth by Jesus Himself:

Matthew 5:29-30 (KJV)

29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

It’s a little puzzling that Jesus said this, but we don’t see it practiced in the church. There has always been plenty of emphasis on “blessed are the meek, the persecuted, and the poor in spirit”, but you never hear anyone preaching amputation. It is just too inconvenient. Maybe if we just pay a little more than our tithe that will suffice; after all parting with money is kind of like amputation for some of us.

Jesus did teach this of course, and it is imperative that we understand why. The key is in verses 20 and 48, where we read,

Matthew 5:20 (KJV)

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:48 (KJV)

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

When the disciples heard Jesus say things like this, they rightly asked Him who could possibly be saved. They saw what everyone who is being honest with themselves can see. This is an impossible standard.

Matthew 19:16-26 (KJV)

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

And there we have it. Nothing we ever do can really please God—it is impossible. Isaiah 64:6 makes it clear that all our righteous acts are as filthy rags to God. He is perfect; we are not. It is that simple.

When Jesus taught people who wanted to try to be righteous enough to please God, these are the ways He taught them. He took the opportunity to show them that they couldn’t possibly get right with God by anything they could do. Paul talks about this in

Romans 3:20 (KJV)

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

No one is justified by what they do. Salvation is a gift.

In the next installment, we will look at another thought about what God wants that runs through scripture.