10 Things God Demands of Us

10 Things God Demands of Us

God’s Word is clear—He doesn’t leave us guessing about what He expects. These aren’t suggestions or religious checklists. They’re heart-level commands that shape how we live, love, and walk with Him daily.

1. Love Him First
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
God doesn’t want to be squeezed into your calendar like a side appointment—He wants to be the heartbeat of your entire day. When we love Him first, everything else lines up in its proper place: our relationships, our choices, even our priorities. Loving Him is about surrendering the throne of our hearts so He can rule with wisdom and grace.

2. Love Others
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)
We can’t say we love the Artist if we despise His artwork. Loving others doesn’t mean agreeing with everyone—it means valuing them as image-bearers of God. When love is hard, it becomes the clearest reflection of God’s love flowing through us.

3. Obey His Word
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
Obedience isn’t chains—it’s proof that love is more than lip service. Every command He gives is for our good, even when it costs us comfort. When we obey, we align ourselves with His heart and demonstrate trust in His wisdom over our own.

4. Seek Him Daily
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)
He’s not looking for weekend visits—He’s inviting you into a daily conversation, like oxygen for your soul. Seeking Him isn’t about ritual, but about relationship—listening, leaning in, and walking close. The more we seek Him, the more we recognize His presence in every detail of life.

5. Deny Self
“If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)
It’s not about spotlighting ourselves—it’s about laying down our stage and following Him backstage. Denying self doesn’t mean losing identity; it means finding our truest self in Him. Every “no” to self is a louder “yes” to the life Christ has called us to live.

6. Be Holy
“You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)
Holiness doesn’t mean being flawless porcelain—it means being set apart, like fine china in a world of paper plates. God’s call to holiness is an invitation to reflect His character in a world that desperately needs His light. The more we walk with Him, the more our lives look like His.

7. Forgive Others
“But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses.” (Matthew 6:15)
Unforgiveness is like trying to drink poison while waiting for someone else to get sick. Forgiveness frees us from chains we didn’t even realize we were carrying. When we forgive, we reflect the very heart of Christ, who forgave us before we even asked.

8. Trust Him
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
Faith means handing Him the steering wheel even when the road disappears in the fog. Trusting God doesn’t mean life will be easy—it means you won’t face it alone. His faithfulness is steady even when ours falters, and His understanding is far greater than our own.

9. Share the Gospel
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations...” (Matthew 28:19)
The good news isn’t meant to stay gift-wrapped—it’s meant to be passed from hand to hand like fire in the dark. Sharing the gospel isn’t about being eloquent; it’s about being willing. God doesn’t call us to save people—He calls us to point them to the One who can.

10. Be Thankful
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Gratitude is the soil where joy grows, even when the weather isn’t fair. Thankfulness shifts our focus from what we lack to the God who provides. When we cultivate gratitude, we find peace in every season—because God is faithful in every season.

These 10 things aren’t about being perfect—they’re about being willing. God looks at the heart, and when we truly desire to please Him, these things become a natural part of our walk. Let’s keep growing, keep seeking, and keep living the way He’s called us to.

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.” – Dean Butler

I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.

This work may be shared for ministry or personal use, but please credit the author when doing so. © Dean Butler – Dean’s Bible Blog. All rights reserved.

Please reach out at: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” (1 Timothy 1:12)