Let’s dig a little more into what God expects from our relationship with him. What does it mean to live out a radically simple and abiding faith?
I’ve been reflecting a lot about what God expects from us.
Miracles and wonders? Results and achievements? Mind-blowing insights and “truth bombs” in public and on social media?
No – just simple and abiding faith.
Walking with him. Trusting him. Making choices that glorify him.
Even though God himself is more fathomless than the ocean, and we are always invited to go deeper in our understanding of him – what he expects from us isn’t all that complicated.
There is something so incredibly comforting about this. As strong, mighty, all-knowing, vast, and powerful as God is, what he asks from us is simple and accessible. Not effortless and often requires faith – but straightforward.
Bible Verses About a Simple and Abiding Faith and Walk with God
People spend countless hours and dollars on education, and go to great lengths to achieve it. In a world that values knowledge and understanding, simplicity is a radical concept. Even though our God has infinite knowledge and understanding, he doesn’t ask much from us.
He has shown you, O Mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8
Jesus replied, “‘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. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:37-40
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. – Hebrews 12:1-2a
Yet [Abraham] did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words, “it was credited to him” were not written for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness – for us who believe in him who raised Jesus Christ our Lord from the dead. – Romans 4:20-24
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” – Psalm 91:1-2
When faith feels complex, remember these promises.
He is clear in the scriptures.
Deuteronomy 30:11-18 talks about how what we need to be able to obey God is not too complex or inaccessible. Verse 14 says, “No, the word is very near you, it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.”
He equips us for understanding with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus tells his disciples in John 16:7 that he isn’t physically with us now so that the Holy Spirit can be. One incredible aspect of the Holy Spirit is that it helps us to understand God’s thoughts; to interpret what he’s given us – things we just can’t understand from a human perspective. 1 Corinthians 2:9-14 talks about this.
He gives us everything we need.
1 Peter 1:3 offers such an incredible assurance – that God has “given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
All we have to do is ask, seek, knock.
God is so generous with us! Matthew 7:7-12 tells us that when we come seeking, he gives abundantly. James 1:5 echoes this. We need only to take that step towards him – and he gives us what we need to know him, walk with him, serve him, and love him.
This is not to say that we won’t see miracles.
Jesus says we will do even greater things than he did, because he went to the Father (John 14:12). But the miracles are left up to God to work in our lives.
And when we obey and stay faithful in the small things, we’ll have our eyes open and hearts ready when it comes to the big moments.
In this day, it’s more important than ever to slow down, be still, and walk steadily with God.
How about you? What steps do you take in your life to abide simply with God? Do you find simple and abiding faith to be a radical call?
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Photo Credit:
1 – Aaron Burden on Unsplash
2 – Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
3 – Fa Barboza on Unsplash
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