A God of expectation …

No expectations, no rules, no requirements, just love, and grace, and bliss!

That is exactly how many describe what “the truth” is about being a follower of Christ.

When I hear that, I wonder what Bible they’re reading. That’s because a simple perusal of scripture often reveals commanding language full of expectation.

Take, for example, this imperative written by the Apostle Peter:

“You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart,” 1 Peter 1:22.

If the writing of an apostle inspired by the Holy Spirit isn’t convincing enough for you, here’s a statement made by Jesus:

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples,” John 13:34-35.

Too many believers skim over the vital fact that God does not belong to us, we belong to Him:

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price …” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20a.

For the person who wants to be a follower of Christ, the apostle insists we love each other deeply. Jesus commands us to do so. And God still requires repentance of sin. There are expectations, there are some rules, there are some requirements.

Like what?

Things like this, “This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ,” Ephesians 4:13.

God saved us not for some kind of radical independence, but with an expectation. An expectation that, through His transforming power at work in our lives, we will one day measure up to the example of Christ.

God expects that from us, but it is an expectation fueled with His enabling power.

A faith that expects nothing or requires nothing produces nothing because it is nothing.

Perhaps that’s why we get nothing more than a profession from so many who claim to follow Christ.

Perhaps it’s time we expect something more of each other.

Scotty