As Christians, we often wonder what expectations God has for us. The Bible offers guidance on how we should live, what we should believe, and how to navigate life’s challenges. These expectations are not about perfection but about growth and faithfulness. Below are some key areas where the Bible provides insight into the expectations God has for His followers, along with verses that reflect these truths.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Depending On God
God’s Expectation of Faith
God expects His followers to trust in Him completely. Faith is a cornerstone of our relationship with God, and through it, we are able to see His hand at work in our lives. This faith is not blind, but it is based on the promises and character of God, who is always faithful.
Hebrews 11:6
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
Mark 11:24
“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”
Matthew 21:22
“You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”
James 1:6
“But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”
Romans 10:17
“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”
God’s Expectation of Obedience
Obedience is key to fulfilling God’s expectations for our lives. Through obedience, we demonstrate our love and trust in Him. Obedience is not just about following rules but about aligning our lives with God’s will and commands as a reflection of our love for Him.
John 14:15
“If you love me, obey my commandments.”
Deuteronomy 5:33
“Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.”
1 Samuel 15:22
“But Samuel replied, ‘What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.'”
James 1:22
“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”
Luke 11:28
“Jesus replied, ‘But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.'”
God’s Expectation of Love
God expects us to love Him and others as the greatest commandments. Love is not just a feeling but a commitment to act in kindness, patience, and understanding, reflecting the love that God has for us. Our relationships with others should mirror the love we receive from Him.
1 John 4:19
“We love each other because he loved us first.”
Matthew 22:37-39
“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
1 Corinthians 13:13
“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”
Romans 13:10
“Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”
1 Peter 4:8
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”
God’s Expectation of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is at the heart of the Gospel. Just as God forgives us, He expects us to forgive others. This can be difficult, but it is an essential part of living a life that reflects God’s grace and mercy. Through forgiveness, we experience freedom and healing.
Matthew 6:14-15
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Ephesians 4:32
“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Colossians 3:13
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.”
Mark 11:25
“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
God’s Expectation of Repentance
God calls us to repentance as an essential part of our spiritual walk. Repentance is about turning away from sin and turning toward God. It’s a heartfelt acknowledgment of our need for His grace, and it allows us to walk in righteousness and truth.
Acts 3:19
“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”
Luke 5:32
“I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
Romans 2:4
“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”
Isaiah 55:7
“Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.”
God’s Expectation of Service
God expects us to serve others in love and humility, following the example of Jesus Christ. Service is a reflection of our faith, and through serving others, we demonstrate the heart of God. This includes both small acts of kindness and larger commitments to help those in need.
Galatians 5:13
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”
Matthew 20:28
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Philippians 2:4
“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
1 Peter 4:10
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
Mark 9:35
“He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, ‘Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.'”
God’s Expectation of Holiness
God calls us to live lives that reflect His holiness. This means being set apart from the world, choosing purity in thought, word, and deed. Holiness is not about being perfect but about living in a way that honors God and reflects His character.
1 Peter 1:15-16
“But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.'”
1 Thessalonians 4:7
“God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.”
Hebrews 12:14
“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”
Romans 12:1
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”
Leviticus 20:26
“You must be holy because I, the Lord, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own.”
God’s Expectation of Perseverance
Perseverance is expected as we navigate through trials and hardships in life. God encourages us to keep our faith strong even when circumstances are challenging. Through perseverance, our faith is tested and refined, and we grow stronger in our walk with God.
James 1:12
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
Romans 5:3-4
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”
Galatians 6:9
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
2 Thessalonians 3:13
“As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.”
Hebrews 10:36
“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About God Being in Control
What Does the Bible Say About Expectations
Expectations are a big part of our lives. We all have them, whether we realize it or not. We expect things from people, situations, and even from God. Sometimes, these expectations can be small, like hoping for a sunny day or expecting a kind word from a friend. Other times, they can be big, like expecting a promotion at work or waiting for a breakthrough in a tough situation. The Bible gives us guidance on how to handle our expectations and how to keep our hearts in the right place while waiting for things to happen.
One of the first things the Bible teaches us about expectations is to be patient. Life doesn’t always go the way we plan, and things don’t always happen when we want them to. But that doesn’t mean God isn’t working. He often has a different timeline than we do, and we must learn to trust that His timing is better than ours. We might expect things to happen right away, but God might be preparing something greater that we can’t see yet. So, patience is key.
Another important lesson is to have faith, even when things don’t turn out the way we expected. Sometimes, our expectations can lead to disappointment when reality doesn’t match what we hoped for. It’s easy to feel discouraged, but the Bible reminds us to trust in God’s bigger plan. He knows what we need better than we do. When our expectations fall short, it’s not a sign that God has forgotten us. Instead, it may be that He’s protecting us from something we don’t understand or preparing us for something better.
The Bible also teaches us to have realistic expectations of others. People are not perfect, and sometimes they will let us down. It’s natural to expect kindness, loyalty, and love from friends and family, but we should remember that everyone is human. People make mistakes, and holding them to impossible standards will only lead to frustration. Instead, we should offer grace and forgiveness, just as we hope others will offer us the same when we fall short.
It’s also important to check our hearts when it comes to expectations. Are we expecting things for selfish reasons? Or are our expectations aligned with what God wants for us? Sometimes, our desires can become the center of our lives, and we might forget to ask God what He thinks. The Bible encourages us to seek God’s will in all things. When we align our expectations with His, we find peace, knowing that whatever happens, it’s for our good.
Lastly, the Bible reminds us to expect great things from God. While we should be patient and trust His timing, we can still have hope and believe that He will do wonderful things in our lives. God wants to bless us, and when our expectations are rooted in faith, we open the door for His blessings to flow. Even when we don’t see results right away, we can rest in the assurance that God is always at work, and His plans are far better than anything we could imagine.
In conclusion, expectations are a normal part of life, but how we handle them makes a difference. By trusting in God’s timing, having faith in His plan, offering grace to others, and aligning our desires with His will, we can navigate life with peace and hope, knowing that God’s best is yet to come.