What is Expected of Me?

Life is filled with expectations. Children have great expectations of becoming firemen, astronauts, doctors, superheroes, or sports superstars. Parents have expectations for the children to grow, receive a good education, graduate from high school, go to college, etc. Young adults may have expectations of beginning a successful career in a dream job, get married, have children, and live the “American Dream.” Although we may have many expectations of what we will do or become throughout our lives, do we ever stop to wonder “what is expected of me?” How many times do we contemplate what my family, friends, or employer expects from me? More importantly, have we ever considered what God expects from me? As we examine the Scriptures, it becomes evident that there are expectations that God has for each of us, and our eternal destination is dependent upon our meeting those expectations. Let’s notice a few expectations we all should meet.

What does God expect from me? God does have expectations from all of us. God expects us to obey Him. The apostles made this very clear as they stated, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). God commands “all men, everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). There are many that will teach that there is nothing that man must do in order to be saved by God, but that is not true. As a matter of fact, the Bible plainly teaches that in order for one to meet the expectations God has for each person, they must obey Him, they must obey His plan of salvation (believing in Jesus, repenting of sins, confessing Jesus, being baptized, and living faithfully), worshipping Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24), and remaining faithful (Rev. 2:10). God also expects man to love Him (Matt. 22:37). This is something that should not have to be mentioned, it should happen automatically, but the Scriptures teach that we are to love God. As we think about how every good gift and every perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17), how God has blessed our lives materially, and how God has granted us all spiritual blessings in Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:3), how can we do anything but love God because of His goodness and mercy? God also expects us to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). We come together each first day of the week, to remember the goodness of God, to offer the best of our offerings to God, and to praise Him with adoration, doing all according to the pattern given in His Word. The list of things God expects from us could continue but may we simply say that God expects us to live as a living sacrifice for Him (Rom. 12:1).

What does the church expect of me? The church, both locally and universally, has expectations of me. We are expected to attend the services of the church. Hebrews 10:25 shows the expectation the church has of me to “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.” We are expected to assemble together and worship, to study, and to learn more about God’s Word. We are expected to come together, not only for the purpose of worship, but for the ability to exhort/encourage one another (Heb. 10:24; Heb. 3:13). Coming together with the family of God, setting aside all the cares and problems of the world, focusing on God’s Word, and being with those that are willing to pray for each other and encourage each other to continue in the faith should be the highlight of each Christian’s week as they come together to be refreshed, renewed, and recharged. The church also expects us to give of our means (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:7). The church should be involved in efforts to spread the Gospel, reaching out to the lost, and doing everything possible to cause the church to grow, and none of these efforts can be accomplished unless the members of the church give as they have prospered. The members of the church are expected to defend the truth and the church. Jude encouraged that we should “contend for the faith” (Jude 3). Peter encouraged to have a ready answer for anyone that may ask of you (1 Peter 3:15). Paul wrote Timothy to “study” in order to show himself approved of God (2 Tim. 2:15). The best way for the church to grow is for each member of the church to be knowledgeable of the Scriptures and always be willing to teach others. We are expected to live a clean life and never bring reproach upon the church (2 Cor. 7:1). The church is the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:23ff.), and Christ will present it as being undefiled, not having any spot or wrinkle, therefore the members of the church must abstain from every appearance of evil (1 Thess. 5:22), and not have any fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:11).

What does my family expect of me? Our families expect my support (1 Tim. 5:8). We are expected to provide for our families, and those that do not do so are labeled as being “worse than an infidel.” Our families expect my love (Eph. 5:25,33). Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church, giving Himself for her, and wives are to reverence their husbands. Our families expect obedience and honor from children (Eph. 6:1-4). Children are commanded to be obedient to their parents, and the fathers are to rear their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The home is an important institution, and is designed by God, and we must do all that we can to make sure we are meeting the expectations God has for us concerning our families.

What does my fellow man expect of me? Christians have expectations to meet toward those that are not Christians. We are expected to be an example. Jesus said that we are to be as “salt” and “light” (Matt. 5:13ff.) and to let our influence glorify the Father in heaven. Christians are expected to teach and preach the Gospel to those that are lost (2 Tim. 4:2ff). Jesus came to seek and save those that are lost, and as members of His body we should be doing all we can to reach the lost in order that they may be saved by Him. Christians are expected to do good to all men (Gal. 6:10), being involved in acts of benevolence, caring for the fatherless and the widows (James 1:27), not growing weary in well doing, knowing we will reap if we faint not (Gal. 6:9).

There are expectations that each person has. If we obey God, and remain faithful unto death, He will reward us, and we will receive the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). Are we doing all that we can to make sure we are meeting those expectations?