What does God demand from us?

God’s Demand for Faith

Faith stands at the core of what is required. As stated, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent” (John 6:29). This trust involves the whole person—mind, emotion, and will—placing genuine confidence in God’s character and promises.

Archaeological findings, such as those from Tell Dan and the Dead Sea Scrolls, corroborate the historical credibility of biblical events and manuscript integrity, reinforcing our trust in the reliability of its message. Whether examining the testimony of numerous manuscript copies that harmonize remarkably or the extensive textual witnesses preserved throughout millennia, it points us to an unwavering faith in a consistent God.

God’s Demand for Love

The call to love encompasses devotion both to God and to others. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37–38). Since humanity’s design springs from a God who is love, heartfelt affection toward Him forms the bedrock for every other relationship.

This love extends outward. “A second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:39). In historical context, early believers exhibited care for the poor, widows, and orphans. The continuity of such compassionate care across centuries, backed by accounts in sources like early Church fathers and community letters, shows how love remains a central demand on all who follow God.

God’s Demand for Repentance

Scripture repeatedly underscores the necessity of turning away from sin. “Unless you repent, you too will all perish” (Luke 13:3). Repentance is not simply regret but a changed direction—forsaking wrongdoing to walk in alignment with God’s instruction.

In research on human behavior, genuine transformation occurs when one’s mindset shifts. Analogously, biblical repentance produces a transformation of the heart and life. Accounts of dramatic personal changes, including those documented in modern evangelistic outreach, highlight the power of repentance to restore individuals to God’s design.

God’s Demand for Obedience

Obedience demonstrates genuine faith: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Biblical narratives repeatedly show leaders like Abraham or Moses who heard and obeyed, leading to blessings and fulfilled promises.

This aspect of submission applies in daily moral choices. From resisting temptation to walking uprightly, the believer practices an ongoing “living sacrifice,” described in Romans 12:1. The harmony between historical records, biblical manuscripts, and internal consistency across both Old and New Testaments further emphasizes the seriousness of adhering to God’s direction.

God’s Demand for Holiness

The call to holiness is clear: “God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:7). Being set apart for divine purposes involves fleeing sin and pursuing what is pure, honorable, and godly.

In textual traditions verified by the strongest manuscript evidence (including papyri and codices such as Codex Sinaiticus), this unchanging ethical standard resonates. Whether in ancient settings or modern life, holiness remains a distinct marker of belonging to the God of Scripture.

God’s Demand for Service

A willingness to serve illustrates the outworking of faith and love. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). Serving others in deeds of kindness, charity, and selflessness reflects the nature of God.

Historical and contemporary missionary testimonies—combining miracle accounts and personal narratives—show consistent devotion, where people dedicate their efforts to help communities thrive. This service-minded posture highlights the transforming power of aligning with God’s demands.

God’s Demand for Glorification

Every action should ultimately bring glory to God: “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Living by this principle involves dedicating our abilities, intentions, and resources to honor the Creator.

Numerous findings in geology and biology bolster the concept of an intricately designed world. Observations such as the rapid formation of sedimentary layers at Mount St. Helens offer glimpses into processes that align with a younger earth viewpoint, revealing evidence that can point to a Creator worthy of praise. By acknowledging God’s hand in creation, we glorify Him.

God’s Demand for Proclamation

Proclaiming the truth forms a defining demand of Scripture: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). The testimony of Christ’s resurrection, supported by historical documents and multiplied eyewitness accounts, stands as the heartbeat of this message.

Textual scholars have authenticated the consistency of the Gospel accounts, demonstrating that Christ’s resurrection remains well-attested. In defense of this reality, historical references to early disciples and non-biblical sources, such as writings from Josephus and Tacitus, reinforce the call to spread this life-changing news. Through outreach—personal conversations, written testimonies, or public preaching—every believer is invited to carry forth the message.

Conclusion

Scripture reveals that God demands faith, love, repentance, obedience, holiness, service, glorification, and proclamation. These demands are grounded in a consistent biblical record that has been preserved through reliable manuscripts and supported by archaeological, geological, and historical evidences.

When believers embrace these requirements, they align with God’s grand design and reflect a life transformed by Christ’s resurrection. From Genesis to Revelation, the call remains the same: trust in the Creator, live out His commands, and declare His glory in all the earth.