God has always had expectations of His people. From the beginning, God expected men and women to obey His commands (Genesis 3:11). Under the Law of Moses, for those who lived during Old Testament times, God expected His laws of worship, cleansing, and sacrifice to be followed. Today He expects us to gather for worship on the first day of the week (Hebrews 10:24-25), to remember and proclaim His Son’s death until He returns (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:26), and to care for those who are in need (James 1:27), among many other commands.
Not only has God always had expectations, but God has also expected his people to give Him only their best. The sacrifices and offerings of the Israelites were to be the best of their flocks and the first of their fruits. God commanded them to “love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). What they gave to God in sacrifice and service was only to be the best.
For Christians today, it is no different. Paul wrote that everything we do needs to be focused on God and done “for the Lord” (Colossians 3:17-23). In Romans 12:1, he wrote, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”
In every aspect of our lives, both in worship and daily living, we need to focus on and treat God in the best way we can. God expects our best.
Matt Langfield